Module 3 - Biology & Neuroscience

Question 1

Several different kinds of helper cells that assist neurons in their role as the brain’s communicators, and provide structural support

Answer 1

Glial cells

Question 2

Anything related to nervous system structure or function

Answer 2

Neural

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Central nervous system

Question 4

Peripheral means “outer.” This is any part of the nervous system not in the brain or spinal cord

Answer 4

Peripheral nervous system

Question 5

Cells that communicate within the brain and with the body to form thoughts and actions. These cells code information as electrical signals, and also release chemicals that influence other neurons/organs/body parts.

Answer 5

Neuron

Question 6

The ability of neurons and glia to change/adapt to what happens inside and around us.

Answer 6

Neuroplasticity

Question 7

Extensions of the cell body membrane that branch out to communicate with other neurons

Answer 7

Dendrites

Question 8

Proteins that are embedded in the cell body membrane and are built to receive chemical messages from neurotransmitters.

Answer 8

Receptors

Question 9

Chemicals released from the end of an axon that acts as messages to other neurons and body parts. These chemicals typically bind to receptors

Answer 9

Neurotransmitters

Question 10

The electrical impulse, or activation energy, that sends a message through a neuron

Answer 10

Action potential

Question 11

The cell body of a neuron.

Answer 11

Soma

Question 12

The intersection between the soma and the axon. This is where the axon begins.

Answer 12

Axon hillock

Question 13

A part of the neuron’s cell membrane that delivers messages to other neurons and body parts

Answer 13

Axon

Question 14

This is the part of the axon that releases the neurotransmitter. Once the action potential gets to the axon terminal, this triggers the release of the neurotransmitter.

Answer 14

Axon terminal

Question 15

The very edge of the axon terminal, where the neurotransmitter exits

Answer 15

Terminal button (synaptic knobs)

Question 16

Little bubbles at the terminal button that store neurotransmitter molecules.

Answer 16

Vesicles

Question 17

A small fluid-filled gap between neurons into which neurotransmitters are released

Answer 17

Synapse

Question 18

The space between the end of the neuron that releases a neurotransmitter (axon terminal) and the end of the receiving neuron (usually a dendrite).

Answer 18

Synaptic cleft

Question 19

A protein and fatty substance that wraps around the axon to protect and increase speed of action potentials (electrical impulses).

Answer 19

Myelin

Question 20

Gaps in the myelin that allow ions to enter into the axon and change the charge inside.

Answer 20

Nodes of Ranvier

Question 21

Particles with positive or negative charges. The movement of ions creates electricity.

Answer 21

Ions

Question 22

Something that causes a neuron to move closer to activation (more positive).

Answer 22

Excitatory

Question 23

Something that causes the charge inside a neuron to move away from activation (more negative).

Answer 23

Inhibitory

Question 24

The neuron that releases the neurotransmitter from its axon terminal.

Answer 24

Presynaptic

Question 25

The other side of the synapse. The neuron that contains receptors (usually on dendrites) ready to bind to the neurotransmitter released from the presynaptic neuron.

Answer 25

Postsynaptic

Question 26

Chemicals that come from outside of the body, and mimic or enhance in some way the actions of neurotransmitters. They can be either more effective, the same, or less effective than the normal neurotransmitter produced in the nervous system.

Answer 26

Agonists

Question 27

A substance produced in the body (naturally produced in the body).

Answer 27

Endogenous

Question 28

A chemical that comes from outside of the body to shut off a receptor.

Answer 28

Antagonists

Question 29

A chemical that comes from outside of the body and either partially enhances, partially mimics, or partially blocks a neurotransmitter action.

Answer 29

Partial agonist/antagonist

Question 30

A neurotransmitter that excites (activates) neurons.

Answer 30

Glutamate

Question 31

Glial (helper) cells that wrap the myelin insulation around axons in the central nervous system.

Answer 31

Oligodendrocytes

Question 32

Glial (helper) cells that wrap the myelin insulation around axons in the peripheral nervous system.

Answer 32

Schwann cells

Question 33

Glial (helper) cells that help get nutrition to neurons and maintain the balance of charged particles (ions) inside and outside of the neuron

Answer 33

Astrocytes

Question 34

Glial (helper) cells that clean debris and get rid of germs.

Answer 34

Microglia

Question 35

Diseases in which parts of the brain slowly die over time, resulting in greater disability as the disease progresses.

Answer 35

Neurodegenerative diseases

Question 36

Neurons organized in an interconnected group, dedicated to a set of functions.

Answer 36

Neural networks

Question 37

Axons that carry signals away from the central nervous system.

Answer 37

Efferents

Question 38

Axons that carry signals to the central nervous system.

Answer 38

Afferents

Question 39

The outer part of your brain, with all the bumps (gyri) and valleys (sulci), responsible for all the high-level processing of information.

Answer 39

Neocortex

Question 40

The part of your brain closest to your spinal cord that helps regulate life functions like breathing and heart rate.

Answer 40

Medulla

Question 41

Literally, of the body. The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the movement of the torso, head, and limbs. These are the nerves that control and communicate with skeletal muscles.

Answer 41

Somatic

Question 42

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the more automatic functions of the body.

Answer 42

Autonomic

Question 43

The division of your autonomic nervous system that is responsible for resting, digestion, and repairing the body.

Answer 43

Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 44

The division of your autonomic nervous system that is responsible for things we do that require excitement.

Answer 44

Sympathetic nervous system

Question 45

A network of cells in the brain stem (myelencephalon) that regulate awareness/alertness, sleep, and motor functions

Answer 45

Pons

Question 46

A network of cells in the pons and medulla that help regulate the level of awareness and alertness in humans.

Answer 46

Reticular activating system (RAS)

Question 47

A network of neurons and glia grouped together to perform certain functions.

Answer 47

Nuclei

Question 48

A network of neurons and glia grouped together to perform certain functions.

Answer 48

Ganglia

Question 49

The anterior portion of the frontal lobes, a network of neurons and glia heavily involved in decision making

Answer 49

Prefrontal cortex

Question 50

A network of neurons and glia dedicated to regulating emotions, helping regulate endocrine activity, and forming emotional memories.

Answer 50

Limbic system

Question 51

A network of neurons and glia (nuclei) that becomes more active when we learn to be fearful and activate our fear response.

Answer 51

Amygdala

Question 52

A network of neurons and glia that acts as a gateway for forming new memories.

Answer 52

Hippocampus

Question 53

A network that becomes more active when we experience unpleasant things.

Answer 53

Cingulate gyrus

Question 54

Interconnected groups of neurons near the base (ventral) of the brain that help us learn movements and coordinate movement patterns

Answer 54

Basal ganglia

Question 55

Consisting of clustered groups of neurons called the caudate and putamen, part of the basal ganglia closer to the neocortex that play a central role in coordinating movement

Answer 55

Dorsal striatum

Question 56

Consisting of clustered groups of neurons called the globus pallidus (looks like a "pale globe"), substantia nigra (black substance), and the subthalamic nucleus (below the thalamus); part of the basal ganglia closer to the neocortex that play a central role in coordinating movement.

Answer 56

Ventral striatum

Question 57

Pale globe: Part of the basal ganglia that plays the role of inhibiting circuits in the thalamus to control how sensory information is coordinated with movement.

Answer 57

Globus pallidus

Question 58

Dark substance: Another part of the basal ganglia that sends inhibitory signals to the thalamus in order to coordinate sensory information with motor (movement) plans

Answer 58

Substantia nigra

Question 59

"Little brain." A two-lobed part of the brain posterior to the brainstem that helps coordinate movements and problem-solving

Answer 59

Cerebellum

Question 60

Parts of the neocortex that merge information from primary areas like the visual and auditory cortex. These circuits help us make sense of what we take in.

Answer 60

Association cortex

Question 61

Opposite side of the body

Answer 61

Contralateral

Question 62

Areas in the brain where neurons have died. A lesion can occur for many reasons, including trauma (getting hit), drug overdose, disease, stroke, or toxic chemical exposure

Answer 62

Lesions

Question 63

Circuits of neurons in the temporal lobe dedicated to receiving and processing messages from the ears through axons of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Answer 63

Primary auditory cortex

Question 64

Circuits in the posterior temporal lobe that seem to be necessary for processing and understanding language

Answer 64

Wernicke's area

Question 65

A network of neurons and glia that helps regulate the production of hormones by the endocrine system, giving it an integral role in governing important bodily functions.

Answer 65

Hypothalamus

Question 66

A way of using dye to make neurons, axons, and dendrites visible under a microscope

Answer 66

Staining methods

Question 67

A method used in combination with MRI scans that allows white matter (axons with myelin) to be seen on the scan

Answer 67

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)