Key Terms 2

Question 1

action potential

Answer 1

a neural impulse, or brief electrical charge, that carries information along the axon of a neuron; movement is generated when positively charged ions move in and out through channels in the axon’s membrane

Question 2

agonist drug

Answer 2

a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a response that mimics or enhances a neurotransmitter’s effect

Question 3

amygdala

Answer 3

a part of the limbic system linked to the production and regulation of emotions- especially aggression and fear

Question 4

antagonist drug

Answer 4

a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a response that blocks a neurotransmitter’s effect

Question 5

association areas

Answer 5

the “quiet” areas in the cerebral cortex involved in interpreting, integrating, and acting on information processed by other parts of the brain

Question 6

autonomic nervous system(ANS)

Answer 6

the subdivision of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that controls the body’s involuntary motor responses; it connects the sensory receptors to the central nervous system (CNS) and the CNS to the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands

Question 7

all or nothing principle

Answer 7

the principle that a neuron’s response to a stimulus is either to fire with a full strength response or not at all; also known as the all-or-none law

Question 8

axon

Answer 8

a long, tube like structure that conveys impulses away from a neuron’s cell body toward other neurons or to muscles or glands

Question 9

cell body

Answer 9

the part of a neuron that contains the cell nucleus and other structures that help the neuron carry out its functions, also known as the soma

Question 10

central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 10

the part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord

Question 11

cerebellum

Answer 11

the hindbrain structure responsible for coordinating fine muscle movement, balance, and some perception and cognition

Question 12

cerebral cortex

Answer 12

the thin surface layer on the cerebral hemispheres that regulates most complex behavior, including sensations, motor control, and higher mental processes

Question 13

corpus callosum

Answer 13

a bundle of neural fibers that connects the brain’s two hemispheres

Question 14

dendrites

Answer 14

the branching fibers of neurons that receive neural impulses from other neurons and convey impulses toward the cell body

Question 15

endorphin

Answer 15

a chemical substance in the nervous system similar in structure and action to opiates; involved in pain control, pleasure, and memory

Question 16

endocrine system

Answer 16

a network of glands located throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Question 17

forebrain

Answer 17

the collection of upper level brain structures including the cerebral cortex, limbic system, thalamus, and hypothalamus

Question 18

frontal lobes

Answer 18

the two lobes at the front of the brain that govern motor control, speech production, and higher functions, such as thinking, personality, emotion, and memory

Question 19

glial cells

Answer 19

the cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other functions for neurons; also called glia or neuroglia

Question 20

hindbrain

Answer 20

the lower or hind region of the brain; collection of structures including the medulla, pons, and cerebellum

Question 21

hippocampus

Answer 21

the seahorse shaped part of the limbic system involved in forming and retrieving memories

Question 22

hypothalamus

Answer 22

the small brain structure beneath the thalamus that helps govern drives (hunger, thirst, sex, and aggression) and hormones

Question 23

limbic system

Answer 23

the interconnected group of forebrain structures involved with emotions, drives, and memory; its two most important structures are the hippocampus and amygdala

Question 24

medulla

Answer 24

the hindbrain structure responsible for vital, automatic functions, such as respiration and heartbeat

Question 25

midbrain

Answer 25

the collection of structures in the middle of the brain responsible for coordinating movement patterns, sleep, and arousal

Question 26

myelin sheath

Answer 26

the layer of fatty insulation wrapped around the axon of some neurons that increases the rate at which neural impulses travel along the axon

Question 27

neurogenesis

Answer 27

the formation (generation) of new neurons

Question 28

neuron

Answer 28

the basic building block (nerve cell) of the nervous system; responsible for receiving, processing, and transmitting electrochemical information

Question 29

neuroplasticity

Answer 29

the brain’s lifelong ability to reorganize and change its structure and function by forming new neural connections

Question 30

neurotransmitter

Answer 30

a chemical messenger released by neurons that travels across the synapse and allows neurons to communicate with one another

Question 31

occipital lobes

Answer 31

the two lobes at the back of the brain that are primarily responsible for vision and visual perception

Question 32

parasympathetic nervous system (ANS)

Answer 32

the subdivision of the autonomic nervous system(ANS) that is responsible for calming the body and conserving energy

Question 33

parietal lobes

Answer 33

the two lobes located at the top of the brain in which bodily sensations are received and interpreted

Question 34

peripheral nervous system(PNS)

Answer 34

the part of the nervous system composed of the nerves and neurons connecting the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

Question 35

reflex

Answer 35

an innate, automatic response to a stimulus that has a biological relevance for an organism (ex. knee jerk reflex)

Question 36

reticular formation

Answer 36

the diffuse set of neurons that helps screen incoming information and helps control arousal

Question 37

somatic nervous system(SNS)

Answer 37

a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system(PNS) that connects the central nervous system (CNS) to sensory receptors and controls skeletal muscles

Question 38

split brain surgery

Answer 38

the cutting of the corpus callosum to separate the brain’s two hemispheres; used medically to treat severe epilepsy; also provides information on the functions of the two hemispheres

Question 39

stem cells

Answer 39

immature (uncommitted) cells that have the potential to develop into almost any type of cell, depending on the chemical signals they receive

Question 40

sympathetic nervous system

Answer 40

the subdivision of the autonomic nervous system(ANS) that is responsible for arousing the body and mobilizing its energy during times of stress; also called the “fight-flight-freeze” system

Question 41

synapse

Answer 41

the gap between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite and/or cell body of the receiving neuron; during an action potential, neurotransmitters are released and flow across the synapse

Question 42

temporal lobes

Answer 42

the two lobes on each side of the brain above the ears that are involved in audition(hearing), language comprehension, memory, and some emotional control

Question 43

thalamus

Answer 43

the forebrain structure at the top of the brainstem that relays sensory messages to and from the cerebral cortex