Chapter 2

Question 1

neuron

Answer 1

basic signaling unit

Question 2

glial cell

Answer 2

brain cell not involved in signaling but provides other functions such as insulation and structural support

Question 3

ogliodendrocytes

Answer 3

glial cells that myelinate axons in the CNS

Question 4

Schwann cells

Answer 4

glial cells that myelinate axons in the PNS

Question 5

microglial cells

Answer 5

glial cells that act as immune cells for the CNS; phagocytes that devour and remove damaged cells

Question 6

soma

Answer 6

cell body of the neuron; metabolic function of the cell

Question 7

dendrites

Answer 7

part of the neuron that receives chemical signals

Question 8

axons

Answer 8

part of neuron that transmits the electrical signal

Question 9

axon terminal

Answer 9

part of the neuron that relays the chemical signal to the next neuron

Question 10

neuronal signaling

Answer 10

the process by which cells receive, process, and transmit signals

Question 11

electrical neuron signal

Answer 11

signal within the neuron

Question 12

chemical neuron signal

Answer 12

signal between neurons

Question 13

nodes of Ranvier

Answer 13

gaps in the myelin sheath

Question 14

action potential

Answer 14

rapid depolarization and polarization of a small region of the membrane on the neuron’s output via its axon by the opening and closing of ion channels

Question 14

resting potential

Answer 14

-70 mV

Question 15

rate of firing

Answer 15

relays info about the intensity of a stimulus

Question 16

neuronal recording

Answer 16

LFP (local field potential): a technique used to measure the electrical activity of neurons in the brain
EEG (electroencephalogram): records the electrical activity of the brain by placing small metal discs called electrodes on the scalp

Question 17

gray matter

Answer 17

made up of neuron cell bodies

Question 18

white matter

Answer 18

made up of axons and glial cells

Question 19

corpus callosum

Answer 19

white matter structure that connects the left and right brain hemispheres

Question 20

brainstem

Answer 20

connects brain and spinal cord; made up of pons, medulla, cerebellum, midbrain

Question 21

medulla

Answer 21

controls vital functions

Question 22

pons

Answer 22

connects brain and cerebellum

Question 23

cerebellum *

Answer 23

maintaining posture, walking, and coordinated movement

Question 24

midbrain

Answer 24

hosts hub of activity regarding incoming threatening stimuli and outputs processing to shape behaviors

Question 25

thalamus *

Answer 25

gateway for almost all sensory modalities before routing them to their primary sensory cortex

Question 26

hypothalamus

Answer 26

main link between endocrine and nervous system; controls homeostasis, hormones, temp, metabolic function, etc.

Question 27

prefrontal cortex

Answer 27

controls executive function, e.g. planning, organizing, action control