Chapter 4

Question 1

Action Potential

Answer 1

A transient all-or-nothing electrical current that is conducted down the axon when the membrane potential reaches the threshold of excitation

Question 2

Axon

Answer 2

part of the neuron that extends off the soma, splitting several times to connect with other neurons; main output of the neuron

Question 3

Brain Stem

Answer 3

the ‘trunk’ of the brain comprised of the medula, pons, midbrain, and diencephalon

Question 4

Broca’s Area

Answer 4

An area in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere. Implicated in language production

Question 5

Central Nervous System

Answer 5

The portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord

Question 6

Cerebellum

Answer 6

the distinctive structure at the back of the brain. Latin for “small brain”

Question 7

Cerebrum

Answer 7

Usually refers to the cerebral cortex and associated white matter, but in some texts includes the subcortical structures

Question 8

Contralateral

Answer 8

literally “opposite side.” Used to refer to the fact that the two hemispheres of the brain process sensory information and motor commands for the opposite side of the body

Question 9

Corpus Callosum

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Dendrites

Answer 10

Part of a neuron that extends away from the cell body and is the main input to the neuron

Question 11

Diffuse Optical Imaging (DOI)

Answer 11

A neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in light as it is passed through the skull and surface of the brain

Question 12

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Frontal Lobe

Answer 13

The front most (anterior) part of the cerebrum; anterior to the central sulcus and responsible for motor output and planning, language, judgment and decision making

Question 14

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Limbic System

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Myelin Sheath

Answer 16

Fatty tissue, that insulates the axons of the neurons. Myelin is necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses among neurons

Question 17

Nervous System

Answer 17

The body’s network for electrochemical communication. This system includes all nerve sells in the body

Question 18

Neurons

Answer 18

Individual brain cells

Question 19

Neurotransmitters

Answer 19

Chemical substance released by the presynaptic terminal button that acts on the postsynaptic cell

Question 20

Occipital Tube

Answer 20

The back most (posterior) part of cerebrum; involved in vision

Question 21

Parietal Tube

Answer 21

Part of cerebrum between frontal and occipital lobe, involved in bodily sensations, visual attention, and integrating the senses

Question 22

Paripheral Nervous System

Answer 22

All of the nerve cells that connect the central nervous system to all other parts of the body

Question 23

Position Emission Tomography (PET)

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Soma

Answer 24

Cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus and genetic information and directs protein synthesis

Question 25

Spatial Resolution

Answer 25

A term that refers to how small the elements of an image are

Question 26

Split-Brain Patient

Answer 26

A patient who has had all of their corpus callosum severed

Question 27

Synapses

Answer 27

Junction between the presynaptic terminal button of one neuron, and the dendrite, axon, or soma of another postsynaptic neuron

Question 28

Synaptic Gap

Answer 28

Also known as the synaptic cleft, the small space between the presynaptic terminal button and the postsynaptic dendrite, spine, axon or soma

Question 29

Temporal Lobe

Answer 29

The part of the cerebrum in front of (anterior to) the occipital lobe and below the lateral fissure; involved in vision, auditory processing, memory, and integrating vision and audition

Question 30

Temporal Resolution

Answer 30

A term that refers to how small a unit of time can be measured