Lesson 30 Terms Flashcards
Adrenal cortex
outer portion of the adrenal gland
Adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys
Adrenal medulla
the inner portion of the adrenal glands that secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine which produces our fight-or flight responses
Autonomic nervous system
controls involuntary muscles and glands
Axon
long extension from the soma carries messages away from the soma
Axon terminals
finger-like projections at the end of the axon
composed of tightly packed cells that prevent large, unwanted molecules from entering the brain
Blood brain barrier
Brain stem
connects to the spinal cord, and controls involuntary functions
Central nervous system
brain and spinal cord enclosed and protected by the skull and vertebrae
Cerebellum is found
a) Found at the back of your head under the cerebrum; divided into left and right hemispheres
Cerebellum functions to
b) Functions to coordinate skeletal muscle activity
Cerebral cortex
outer layer of the cerebrum
Cerebrum
upper portion of the brain, divided into left and right hemispheres
Chemoreceptors
respond to chemicals; in your nose
Circadian rhythm
the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle
a coiled, bony, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear; vibrations are sent through and stimulate sensory hair cells and are converted to nerve impulses
Cochlea
Cones
detect color
Cornea
the transparent outer covering of the eye
Corpus callosum
mass of nerve fibers allowing the hemispheres to communicate
Dendrites
finger-like projections carry messages toward the soma
Endocrine system
a) Includes: pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pineal gland, and the adrenal gland
b) Function: sends chemical messages through the body
found under the forehead; the center of reasoning, planning, movement, emotions, problem solving, and some parts of speech
Frontal lobes
Function Endocrine glands (gland)
An organ that produces and releases chemicals either through ducts or into the bloodstream
Glial cells
support, nourish, and protect neurons
Gonads
glands that produce sex hormones
Gray matter
composed primarily of nerve cell bodies; responsible for processing information
Hippocampus
processes factual memories
Hormones
chemical messengers
Hypothalamus
area of the brain that secretes hormones that regulate the pituitary gland
Incus
anvil; middle of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear