Chapter 49 - Nervous Systems

Question 1

forebrain

Answer 1

One of three [supposedly] ancestral and embryonic regions of the vertebrate brain; develops into the thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebrum.

Question 2

midbrain

Answer 2

One of three [supposedly] ancestral and embryonic regions of the vertebrate brain; develops into sensory integrating and relay centers that send sensory information to the cerebrum.

Question 3

hindbrain

Answer 3

One of three [supposedly] ancestral and embryonic regions of the vertebrate brain; develops into the medulla oblongata; pons, and cerebellum.

Question 4

brainstem

Answer 4

A collection of structures in the vertebrate brain, including the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata; functions in homeostasis, coordination of movement, and conduction of information to higher brain centers.

Question 5

cerebellum

Answer 5

Part of the vertebrate hindbrain located dorsally; functions in unconscious coordination of movement and balance.

Question 6

cerebrum

Answer 6

The dorsal portion of the vertebrate forebrain, composed of right and left hemispheres; the integrating center for memory, learning, emotions, and other highly complex functions of the central nervous system.

Question 7

cerebral hemisphere

Answer 7

The right or left side of the cerebrum

Question 8

cerebral cortex

Answer 8

The surface of the cerebrum; the largest and most complex part of the mammalian brain, containing nerve cell bodies of the cerebrum; the part of the vertebrate brain [believed to be] most changed through evolution.

Question 9

corpus callosum

Answer 9

The thick band of nerve fibers that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres in mammals, enabling the hemispheres to process information together.

Question 10

thalamus

Answer 10

An integrating center of the vertebrate forebrain. Neurons with cell bodies in the thalamus relay neural input to specific areas in the cerebral cortex and regulate what information goes to the cerebral cortex.

Question 11

hypothalamus

Answer 11

The ventral part of the vertebrate forebrain; functions in maintaining homeostasis, especially in coordinating the endocrine and nervous systems; secretes hormones of the posterior pituitary and releasing factors that regulate the anterior pituitary.

Question 12

pons

Answer 12

A portion of the brain that participates in certain automatic, homeostatic functions, such as regulating the breathing centers in the medulla.

Question 13

medulla oblongata

Answer 13

The lowest part of the vertebrate brain, commonly called the medulla; a swelling of the hindbrain anterior to the spinal cord that controls autonomic, homeostatic functions, including breathing, heart and blood vessel activity, swallowing, digestion, and vomiting.

Question 14

reticular formation

Answer 14

A diffuse network of neurons in the core of the brainstem that filters information traveling to the cerebral cortex.

Question 15

biological clock

Answer 15

An internal timekeeper that controls an organism’s biological rhythms. The biological clock marks time with or without environmental cues but often requires signals from the environment to remain tuned to an appropriate period. <em>See also</em> circadian rhythm.

Question 16

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

Answer 16

A group of neurons in the hypothalamus of mammals that functions as a biological clock.

Question 17

amygdala

Answer 17

A structure in the temporal lobe of the vertebrate brain that has a major role in the processing of emotions.