Chapter Two

Question 1

A single nerve cell. The basic building block of the nervous system. ________

Answer 1

Neuron

Question 2

A neurotransmitter that is involved in muscle concentration and Alzheimer’s Disease. ________

Answer 2

Acetylcholine

Question 3

This is the destruction of neural brain tissue. ______

Answer 3

Lesion

Question 4

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of tissue in the brain. It allows us to see specific structures within the brain. ______

Answer 4

MRI - magnetic resonance imaging

Question 5

A nerve network in the brain that controls arousal. (It wakes you up when your alarm goes off and alerts you when OB says your name in class).
________ _______

Answer 5

Reticular Formation (re-TICK-TOCK - like a clock)

Question 6

This is the system in your brain that includes the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala. It is considered to be the “seat of emotion” in the brain.
_______ _______

Answer 6

Limbic System

Question 7

A simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response. _______

Answer 7

reflex

Question 8

The tree-like extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct those impulses to the cell body. _________

Answer 8

Dendrites

Question 9

A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon. This is triggered by positively charged atoms in and out of channels in axon’s membrane. When this happens, the neuron is depolarized. ______ _______

Answer 9

Action Potential

Question 10

This is the part of the nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. It is also called the skeletal nervous system. ________ nervous system.

Answer 10

Somatic nervous system (somebody does it)

Question 11

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms you down and thus, conserves energy. ___________ nervous system.

Answer 11

Parasympathetic Nervous system (not on)

Question 12

The brain and the spinal cord make up this part of the nervous system. _________ nervous system.

Answer 12

Central Nervous System

Question 13

A series of X-ray photographs that show us a “slice” of the brain. ___________ _________

Answer 13

Computed Tomography

Question 14

The area in the frontal love, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscles movements necessary for speech. ________ area.

Answer 14

Broca’s Area (B - over the mouth for making words)

Question 15

The set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood system. _________ system.

Answer 15

Endocrine system

Question 16

Natural morphine-like neurotransmitters that are linked to pain control and pleasure. _________

Answer 16

Endorphins

Question 17

A layer of fatty tissue that encases some axons. It speeds up neural transmissions. ________ ________

Answer 17

Myelin Sheath

Question 18

Neurons that carry information from the senses (eyes, ears, etc.) to the central nervous system. ________ neurons.

Answer 18

Sensory Neurons

Question 19

The brain’s capacity to reorganize itself. This is most apparent when it comes to the brains of children who have experienced some form of brain damage.

Answer 19

Plasticity

Question 20

This is the gland that controls growth and also controls other endocrine glands. It is the master gland.

Answer 20

Pituitary Gland

Question 21

These are the glands just above the kidneys. They secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine, which help to arouse the body and brain.

Answer 21

Adrenal glands

Question 22

The chemical messengers of the body that are produced in the glands of the body. They affect other glands.

Answer 22

Hormones

Question 23

The part of the cerebral cortex primarily involved in audition.

Answer 23

Temporal Lobe

Question 24

The large band of neural fibers that connect the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This is what is severed in “split-brain” studies.

Answer 24

Corpus callosum

Question 25

This is the part of the brainstem that controls breathing, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, etc.

Answer 25

Medulla

Question 26

This is a general term for impairment in language. It is usually caused by damage to the left hemisphere of the brain.

Answer 26

Aphasia

Question 27

The brain’s sensory “switchboard” or “relay station”. It takes in all sensory info and transmits it to the correct parts of the brain.

Answer 27

Thalamus

Question 28

The almond-shaped part of the limbic system that seems to be involved in anger and fear.

Answer 28

amygdala

Question 29

The junction (space) between two neurons.

Answer 29

Synapse

Question 30

The minimum level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse (action potential)

Answer 30

Threshold

Question 31

The (typically) long extensions that send info from one neuron to another. At the end of the extensions, one finds terminal buttons that release neurotransmitters.

Answer 31

axon

Question 32

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. It is composed of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

Answer 32

Autonomic nervous system

Question 33

The part of the cerebral cortex responsible for visual perception

Answer 33

Occipital lobe

Question 34

A visual way to assess how much glucose is being used in different parts of the brain while a subject engages in various tasks.

Answer 34

Positron Emission Tomography (your PET likes sugar)

Question 35

this is the oldest part of the brain (often called the reptilian brain. It begins where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull. It includes the medulla and reticular formation.

Answer 35

Brainstem

Question 36

The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body and mind. It energizes the body in stressful situations and is responsible for the “fight or flight” response.

Answer 36

Sympathetic Nervous system (on)

Question 37

Neurons in the spinal cord that connect afferent and efferent neurons. They are very important in reflexes

Answer 37

Interneurons

Question 38

The neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands.

Answer 38

Motor neurons

Question 39

The lobes of the cortex that are primarily involved in our sense of touch. The sensory cortex is located here.

Answer 39

Parietal lobes

Question 40

The part of the nervous system that is not made up of the central nervous system. It is made up of the nerves that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Answer 40

Peripheral Nervous System

Question 41

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap. When released, they bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron and create action potential.

Answer 41

Neurotransmitters

Question 42

The lobes of the brain responsible for judgment, speaking, muscle movement, and personality.

Answer 42

Frontal lobes

Question 43

Drugs that mimic the effects of neurotransmitters.

Answer 43

Agonists

Question 44

The “Little Brain” that is attached to the brainstem. It is involved in voluntary movement, balance, and implicit memory.

Answer 44

Cerebellum

Question 45

The pat of the limbic system involved in eating, drinking, and sexual behavior.

Answer 45

Hypothalamus

Question 46

This is the intricate quilt of “grey matter” that covers the brain. It is what makes us “thinking beings”

Answer 46

Cerebral cortex

Question 47

This part of the left hemisphere allows us to understand language.

Answer 47

Wernicke’s area (W - over ear - taking in language)