biology

Question 1

define central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 1

the portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord; encased in bone

Question 2

define action potential

Answer 2

an all or nothing electrical current conducted down the axon when the membrane potential reaches the threshold of excitation

Question 3

define axon

Answer 3

part of the neuron extending off the soma, splitting many times to connect with other neurons

Question 4

define brain stem

Answer 4

the trunk of the brain

Question 5

what are the 4 main parts of the brain stem

Answer 5

medulla, pons, midbrain, diencephalon

Question 6

define broca’s area

Answer 6

area in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere implicated in language production

Question 7

define cerebellum

Answer 7

the distinctive structure at the back of the brain (small brain)

Question 8

define cerebrum

Answer 8

largest part of the brain, typically referring to the cerebral cortex and associated white matter

Question 9

define contralateral

Answer 9

the 2 hemispheres of the brain process sensory information and motor commands for the opposite side of the body

Question 10

define corpus callosum

Answer 10

thick bundle of nerve cells that connect the two hemispheres of the brain and allow them to communicate

Question 11

define dendrites

Answer 11

part of a neuron that extends away from the cell body, and is the main receiving input of the neuron

Question 12

define diffuse optical imaging (DOI)

Answer 12

a neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in light as it passes through the skull and surface of the brain

Question 13

define electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 13

a neuroimaging technique that measures electrical brain activity via multiple electrodes on the scalp

Question 14

define frontal lobe

Answer 14

the front most part of the cerebrum responsible for motor output and planning, language, judgment, and decision making

Question 15

define functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer 15

a neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in oxygen levels in the blood

Question 16

define limbic system

Answer 16

includes the subcortical structures of the amygdala and hippocampal formation as well as some cortical structures; responsible for aversion and gratification

Question 17

define myelin sheath

Answer 17

fatty tissue insulating the axons of the neurons, that is necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses among neurons

Question 18

define nervous system

Answer 18

the body’s network for electrochemical communication including all of the nerve cells in the body

Question 19

define neuron

Answer 19

an individual brain cell

Question 20

define neurotransmitters

Answer 20

chemical substances released by the presynaptic terminal button that acts on the postsynaptic cell

Question 21

define occipital lobe

Answer 21

the back most part of the cerebrum, responsible for vision

Question 22

define parietal lobe

Answer 22

the part of the cerebrum between the frontal and occipital lobes; responsible for bodily sensations, visual attention, and integrating the senses

Question 23

define peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 23

all of the nerve cells connecting the central nervous system to all the other parts of the body

Question 24

define positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer 24

a neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting the presence of a radioactive substance in the brain initially injected into the bloodstream and then pulled in by active brain tissue

Question 25

define soma

Answer 25

the cell body of a neuron containing the nucleus and genetic information, directs protein synthesis

Question 26

define spatial resolution

Answer 26

a term that refers to how small the elements of an image are; high spatial resolution means the device can resolve very small elements; describes how small of a structure in the brain can be imaged

Question 27

define split brain patient

Answer 27

patient who has had most or all of their corpus callosum severed

Question 28

define synapse

Answer 28

the junction between the presynaptic terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite of another postsynaptic neuron

Question 29

define synaptic gap

Answer 29

the space between the presynaptic terminal button and the postsynaptic dendritic spine

Question 30

define temporal lobe

Answer 30

the part of the cerebrum in front of the occipital lobe involved in vision, auditory processing, memory, and integrating vision and audition

Question 31

define temporal resolution

Answer 31

a term referring to how small a unit of time can be measured, describing how precisely in time a process can be measured in the brain (high temporal resolution means capable of resolving very small units of time)

Question 32

define nodes of ranvier

Answer 32

gaps in the myelin sheath surrounding the axon

Question 33

what structure controls basic life support functions

Answer 33

brain stem

Question 34

what structure regulates our emotions

Answer 34

limbic system

Question 35

what structure controls movement and posture and some thinking

Answer 35

cerebellum

Question 36

what structures do not need conscious awareness

Answer 36

cerebellum and brain stem

Question 37

what structure is associated the most with voluntary control and awareness

Answer 37

cerebrum

Question 38

where are sounds and smells processed

Answer 38

temporal lobe

Question 39

where are touch and taste processed

Answer 39

parietal lobe

Question 40

what lobe controls behavior motor plans and complex processes like speech and language, problem solving, planning, and organization

Answer 40

frontal lobe

Question 41

define somatic nervous system

Answer 41

part of the PNS controlling senses and voluntary muscle movements (made up of spinal and cranial nerves)

Question 42

define autonomic nervous system

Answer 42

made up of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Question 43

define parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 43

part of autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary movements and visceral organs

Question 44

what imagining techniques have poor temporal resolution

Answer 44

PET and fMRI

Question 45

what imaging technique has poor spatial resolution

Answer 45

EEG

Question 46

which imaging technique has high temporal and spatial resolution

Answer 46

DOI

Question 47

define basal ganglia

Answer 47

part of limbic cortex; primarily responsible for motor control, as well as other roles such as motor learning, executive functions and behaviors, and emotions.

Question 48

define cingulate gyrus

Answer 48

part of limbic system; regulating emotions and pain