Chapter 4: The Physical Basis of Behavior(brain)

Question 1

action potential

Answer 1

the electrical signal arising in a neuron’s action

Question 2

agonists

Answer 2

drugs that enhance the actions of neurotransmitters

Question 3

amygdala

Answer 3

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

Question 4

antagonists

Answer 4

drugs that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters

Question 5

autonomic nervous system

Answer 5

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

Question 6

axons

Answer 6

the branch of the neuron that is usually responsible for transmitting information to other neurons

Question 7

basal ganglia

Answer 7

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

Question 8

brainstem

Answer 8

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

Question 9

cell body

Answer 9

the large, central mass of the neuron, containing the necleus

Question 10

central nervous system(CNS)

Answer 10

the brain and spinal cord

Question 11

cerebellum

Answer 11

a structure attached to the brainstem that participates in skilled movement, in humans, complex cognitive processes

Question 12

cerebral cortex

Answer 12

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

Question 13

cingulate cortex

Answer 13

• a subcortical structure above the corpus callosum
• its anterior(forward) segment participates in decision making
• its posterior(rear) segment participates in memory and visual processing

Question 14

corpus callosum

Answer 14

a wide band of nerve fibres connection the right and left cerebral hemispheres

Question 15

dendrites

Answer 15

a branch from a neural cell body that usually receives input from other neurons

Question 16

endocrine system

Answer 16

a system responsible for the release of hormones into the bloodstream

Question 17

enteric nervous system

Answer 17

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

Question 18

executive functions

Answer 18

the set of basic and higher level cognitive processes that enable self-regulation and behaviour control

Question 19

frontal lobe

Answer 19

• 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 20

glia

Answer 20

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

Question 21

hippocampus

Answer 21

a subcortical structure that participates in memory

Question 22

hypothalamus

Answer 22

a subcortical structure that participates in the regulation of thirst, temperature, hunger, sexual behaviour, and aggression

Question 23

medulla

Answer 23

the brainstem structure that lies just above the spinal cord

Question 24

midbrain

Answer 24

the part of the brainstem that lies between the pons and the cerebral hemishperes

Question 25

myelin

Answer 25

the insulating material covering some axons

Question 26

neurogenesis

Answer 26

the generation of new neurons

Question 27

neurons

Answer 27

a cell of the nervous system that is specialized to send and receive neural messagess

Question 28

neuroplasticity

Answer 28

the ability of neurons to change in structures and function throughout the lifespan

Question 29

neurotransmitters

Answer 29

a chemical messenger that communicates across a synapse

Question 30

nucleus accumbens

Answer 30

a subcortical structure that participates in reward and addiction

Question 31

occipital lobe

Answer 31

- the lobe of the cerebral cortex located at the back of the brain - location of the primary visual cortex

Question 32

orbitofrontal cortex

Answer 32

- a part of the prefrontal cortex - located right behind the eyes - participates in impulse control

Question 33

parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 33

the division of the autonomic nervous system - associated with rest, repair, and energy storage

Question 34

parietal lobe

Answer 34

- the lobe of the cerebral cortex that lies at the top of the brian between the frontal and occipital lobes - location of the primary somatosensory cortex

Question 35

peripheral nervous system(PNS)

Answer 35

the nerves exiting the CNS that carry sensory and motor information to and from the rest of the body

Question 36

pons

Answer 36

a part of the brainstem located between the medulla and the midbrain

Question 37

prefrontal cortex

Answer 37

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

Question 38

receptors

Answer 38

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

Question 39

resting potential

Answer 39

the measure of the electrical charge across a neural membrane when the neuron is not processing infromation

Question 40

reticular formation

Answer 40

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

Question 41

reuptake

Answer 41

a process in which molecules of neurotransmitter in the synaptic gap are returned to the axons terminal where they are released

Question 42

somatic nervous system

Answer 42

- part of the peripheral nervous system - brings sensory information to the central nervous system - transmits commands to the muscles

Question 43

spinal cord

Answer 43

- a long cylinder of neural tissue - extends from the medulla of the brain down to the middle of the back - part of the CNS

Question 44

sympathetic nervous system

Answer 44

- a division of the autonomic nervous system - coordinates arousal

Question 45

synapse

Answer 45

a point of communication between two neurons

Question 46

temporal lobe

Answer 46

- the lobe of the cerebral cortex that curves around the side of each hemisphere - location of the primary auditory cortex

Question 47

thalamus

Answer 47

- a subcortial strcure - involved with the processing of sensory information, state of arousal, learning, and memory