Ch. 3 Vocab (Part 1)

Question 1

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Answer 1

Neuron

Question 2

A neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

Answer 2

Dendrites

Question 3

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

Answer 3

Axon

Question 4

A layer of fatty tissue that insulates axons and speeds their impulses

Answer 4

Myelin sheath

Question 5

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Answer 5

Action potential

Question 6

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired; a resting period after orgasm, during which a man can not receive another

Answer 6

Refractory period

Question 7

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Answer 7

Threshold

Question 8

A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing

Answer 8

All-or-none response

Question 9

A junction b/t two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter

Answer 9

Synapse

Question 10

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons; when released by the sending neuron, they travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

Answer 10

Neurotransmitter

Question 11

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Answer 11

Reuptake

Question 12

Naturally occurring opiates produced by the brain and released through neurotransmitters in response to pain or vigorous exercise (“natural high”)

Answer 12

Endorphins

Question 13

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

Answer 13

Agonist

Question 14

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response

Answer 14

Antagonist

Question 15

the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

Answer 15

Nervous system

Question 16

the brain and spinal cord

Answer 16

Central nervous system

Question 17

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

Answer 17

Peripheral nervous system

Question 18

bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

Answer 18

Nerves

Question 19

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

Answer 19

Sensory neurons

Question 20

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Answer 20

Motor neurons

Question 21

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Answer 21

Interneurons

Question 22

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

Answer 22

Somatic nervous system

Question 23

the part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes

Answer 23

Autonomic nervous system

Question 24

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

Answer 24

Sympathetic nervous system

Question 25

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

Answer 25

Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 26

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

Answer 26

Reflex

Question 27

this system’s glands secrete another form of chemical messengers, hormones, which travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues, including the brain. When hormones act on the brain, they influence our interest in sex, food, and aggression.

Answer 27

Endocrine system

Question 28

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

Answer 28

Hormones

Question 29

glands on top of the kidneys that release epinephrine and norepinephrine (also called adrenaline and noradrenaline). These hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar, providing us with a surge of energy, known as the fight-or-flight response. When the emergency passes, the hormones—and the feelings of excitement—linger a while.

Answer 29

Adrenal glands

Question 30

the endocrine system’s most influential gland; Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Answer 30

Pituitary glands

Question 31

tissue destruction; a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Answer 31

Lesion

Question 32

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

Answer 32

Electroencephalogram

Question 33

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure

Answer 33

CT scan

Question 34

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

Answer 34

PET scan

Question 35

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue; show brain anatomy

Answer 35

MRI

Question 36

a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans; show brain function as well as its structure

Answer 36

fMRI brainstem

Question 37

a structure of the brain located in the brain stem; primarily responsible for breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and coughing

Answer 37

Medulla

Question 38

the brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Answer 38

Thalamus

Question 39

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

Answer 39

Reticular formation

Question 40

coordinates voluntary movement and balance and supports learning and memories of such

Answer 40

Cerebellum

Question 41

neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

Answer 41

Limbic system

Question 42

Linked to emotion

Answer 42

Amygdala

Question 43

a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

Answer 43

Hypothalamus

Question 44

The scientific study of the links b/t biological and psychological processes

Answer 44

Biological psychology