chapter 3

Question 1

Do we use only 10% of our brain?

Answer 1

false every part of the brain has a function

Question 2

The nervous system is primarily made up of

Answer 2

neurons, glial cells

Question 3

neurons

Answer 3

nerve cells specialized for communications

Question 4

glial cells

Answer 4

provide support and nutrients for neurons

Question 5

what do glial cells do?

Answer 5

form myelin, form the blood brain barrier

Question 6

Blood-brain barrier

Answer 6

prevents harmful substances from entering the brain, alcohol effects the brain

Question 7

why do we care about glial cells?

Answer 7

we care because einstein’s brain had more glia than average (made him smarter)

Question 8

what does the brain contain?

Answer 8

it contains 100 billion neurons that form 160 trillion connections

Question 9

collectively neurons

Answer 9

monitor our internal and external environments, control our behavior and create our mental experiences

Question 10

myelin sheath

Answer 10

glial cells that help speed signal transmission it helps with a quick movement to brain, react quicker

Question 11

cell body

Answer 11

central region of cell (called soma)

Question 12

axon

Answer 12

deliver signals to other cells

Question 13

dendrites

Answer 13

receive outside signals

Question 14

axon terminals

Answer 14

end of axon where signal is released

Question 15

communication between neurons (two parts)

Answer 15

electrical signal propagation within neuron, chemical communication between neurons

Question 16

action potential

Answer 16

all or none electrical impulse that neurons use to propagate signal ex: like a wave in a crowd, can’t stop in between

Question 17

absolute refractory period

Answer 17

recovery time when another AP is not possible

Question 18

communication between neurons

Answer 18

chemical signal from 1 neuron to the next

Question 19

synapse

Answer 19

junction between two communicating neurons

Question 20

neurotransmitter

Answer 20

chemical signal

Question 21

synaptic cleft

Answer 21

space between two neurons where neurotransmitter is released

Question 22

receptor sites

Answer 22

lock and key mechanisms that take us neurotransmitters

Question 23

sensory neurons

Answer 23

sense information and respond to tactile stimuli and can activate motor neurons in order to achieve muscle contraction

Question 24

interneurons

Answer 24

help to do processing, pass on signal to others

Question 25

motor neurons

Answer 25

travel from the brain to body to tell you what to do

Question 26

the nervous system?

Answer 26

how the brain communicates with the body composed of peripheral nervous system

Question 27

the central nervous system

Answer 27

brain and spinal cord

Question 28

peripheral nervous system

Answer 28

consists of nerves that connect muscles, organs and glands to the central ns composed somatic and autonomic ns

Question 29

somatic ns

Answer 29

carries signals between the CNS and muscles in the body that control movement

Question 30

autonomic ns

Answer 30

carries signals between the CNS and organs/glands that regulate involuntary actions and the body’s internal state

Question 31

sympathetic ns

Answer 31

readies the body for action, increases heart rate, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion, “fight or flight”

Question 32

parasympathetic ns

Answer 32

active during rest, slows heart and breathing rates, stimulates digestion “rest and digest”
ex: parachute dropping

Question 33

spinal cord

Answer 33

carries sensory information to the brain, and motor control commands back to the body. manages simple reflexes and movements
serves to increase speed of important reflexes

Question 34

brainstem

Answer 34

consists of medulla, pons and midbrain

Question 35

medulla

Answer 35

helps regulate heart rate and breathing

Question 36

pons

Answer 36

involved in maintaining balance, and walking (motion)

Question 37

midbrain

Answer 37

involved in modulation of motor activity (substantia mibra)

Question 38

thalamus

Answer 38

relay station of the brain directs signals passing between the body and the brain ex: old telephone operator

Question 39

cerebellum

Answer 39

important for balance, coordination and preplanned actions, learning motor skills
ex: triple axel in ice skating can’t stop in between

Question 40

basal ganglia

Answer 40

responsible for executing planned actions (implicated in parkinson’s disease)

Question 41

hypothalamus

Answer 41

regulates the internal environment of the body by controlling the autonomic ns

Question 42

hypothalamus controls

Answer 42

hormone levels and drive states (hunger, thirst)

Question 43

amygdala

Answer 43

involved in emotion regulation and fear

Question 44

hippocampus

Answer 44

important for memory, especially forming new memories, and spatial memory