Chapter 4 The Biological Mind: The Physical Basis of Behavior

Question 1

Action Potential

Answer 1

The electrical signal arising in a neuron’s axon

Question 2

Amygdala

Answer 2

A subcortical structure located in the temporal lobe believed to participate in emotional processing

Question 3

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 3

The division of the peripheral nervous system that directs the activity of glands, organs, and smooth muscles.

Question 4

Axons

Answer 4

The branch of a neuron that is usually responsible for transmitting information to other neurons.

Question 5

Basal Ganglia

Answer 5

A collection of subcortical structures that participate in the control of movement

Question 6

Brainstem

Answer 6

The part of the brain containing the midbrain, pons, and medulla.

Question 7

Cell Body

Answer 7

The large, central mass of a neuron, containing the nucleus.

Question 8

The Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 8

The brain and spinal cord.

Question 9

Cerebellum

Answer 9

A structure attached to the brainstem that participates in skilled movement and, in humans, complex cognitive processing

Question 10

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 10

The thin layer of neurons covering the outer surface of the cerebral hemispheres.

Question 11

Cingulate Cortex

Answer 11

A subcortical structure above the corpus callosum. Its anterior (forward) segment participates in decision making and emotion, and its posterior (rear) segment participates in memory and visual processing.

Question 12

Corpus Callosum

Answer 12

A wide band of nerve fibers connecting the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

Question 13

Dendrites

Answer 13

A branch from the neural cell body that usually receives input from other neurons.

Question 14

Endocrine System

Answer 14

A system responsible for the release of hormones into the bloodstream.

Question 15

Enteric Nervous System

Answer 15

A division of the autonomic nervous system consisting of nerve cells embedded in the lining of the gastrointestinal system

Question 16

Frontal Lobe

Answer 16

The most forward of the four lobes of the cerebral cortex; location of the primary motor cortex and areas responsible for some of the most complex cognitive processes.

Question 17

Glia

Answer 17

Nervous system cells that perform a variety of support functions, including formation of the blood-brain barrier and myelin.

Question 18

Hippocampus

Answer 18

A subcortical structure that participates in memory.

Question 19

Hypothalamus

Answer 19

“4F” A subcortical structure that participates in the regulation of thirst, temperature, hunger, sexual behavior, and aggression.

Question 20

Medulla

Answer 20

The brainstem structure that lies just above the spinal cord.

Question 21

Midbrain

Answer 21

The part of the brainstem that lies between the pons and the cerebral hemispheres

Question 22

Myelin

Answer 22

The insulating material covering some axons.

Question 23

Neurons

Answer 23

A cell of the nervous system that is specialized to send and receive neural messages.

Question 24

Neurotransmitters

Answer 24

A chemical messenger that communicates across a synapse.

Question 25

Nucleus Accumbens

Answer 25

A subcortical structure that participates in reward and addiction.

Question 26

Occipital Lobe

Answer 26

The lobe of the cerebral cortex located at the back of the brain; location of the primary visual cortex.

Question 27

Orbitofrontal Cortex

Answer 27

A part of the prefrontal cortex located right behind the eyes that participates in impulse control.

Question 28

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 28

The part of the autonomic nervous system associated with rest, repair, and energy storage.

Question 29

Parietal Lobe

Answer 29

The lobe of the cerebral cortex that lies at the top of the head between the frontal and the occipital lobes; location of the primary somatosensory cortex.

Question 30

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 30

The nerves exiting the central nervous system that carry sensory and motor information to and from the rest of the body

Question 31

Pons

Answer 31

A part of the brainstem located between the medulla and the midbrain.

Question 32

Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 32

The most forward part of the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex.

Question 33

Receptors

Answer 33

A special channel in the membrane of a neuron that interacts with neurotransmitters released by other neurons.

Question 34

Resting Potential

Answer 34

The measure of the electrical charge across a neural membrane when the neuron is not processing information.

Question 35

Reticular Formation

Answer 35

A collection of structures located along the midline of the brainstem that participate in mood, arousal, and sleep.

Question 36

Reuptake

Answer 36

A process in which molecules of neurotransmitter in the synaptic gap are returned to the axon terminal from which they were released

Question 37

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 37

The part of the peripheral nervous system that brings sensory information to the central nervous system and transmits commands to the muscles.

Question 38

Spinal Cord

Answer 38

A long cylinder of neural tissue extending from the medulla of the brain down to the middle of the back; part of the central nervous system

Question 39

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 39

The division of the autonomic nervous system that coordinates arousal

Question 40

Synapse

Answer 40

a junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.

Question 41

Temporal Lobe

Answer 41

The lobe of the cerebral cortex that curves around the side of each hemisphere; location of the primary auditory cortex.

Question 42

Thalamus

Answer 42

A subcortical structure involved with the processing of sensory information, states of arousal, and learning and memory