Neuroscience

Question 1

What is the primary function of the nervous system?

Answer 1

to transmit signals between different parts of the body

Question 2

True or False: Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system.

Answer 2

true

Question 3

Which part of the neuron receives signals from other neurons?

Answer 3

dendrites

Question 4

Myelin Sheath

Answer 4

the fatty substance that insulates axons and speeds up signal transmission

Question 5

What is the small gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released?

Answer 5

synapse

Question 6

What is the main function of the endocrine system?

Answer 6

to regulate the body’s hormones

Question 7

True or False: Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream.

Answer 7

true

Question 8

Pituitary gland

Answer 8

produces and releases growth hormones to stimulate physical development

Question 9

What is the hormone responsible for the fight or flight response?

Answer 9

adrenaline

Question 10

What is the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward?

Answer 10

dopamine

Question 11

True or False: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the ‘rest and digest’ response.

Answer 11

true

Question 12

Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood regulation and is targeted by many antidepressant medications?

Answer 12

serotonin

Question 13

What is the term for the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections?

Answer 13

neuroplasticity

Question 14

Adrenal gland

Answer 14

produces steroid hormones to arouse the body in times of stress

Question 15

Part of the neuron that contains the nucleus?

Answer 15

cell body

Question 16

What are axons?

Answer 16

the segmented neuron extension that passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons

Question 17

What is the role of glial cells?

Answer 17

to support, nourish, and protect neurons

Question 18

What is the action potential?

Answer 18

the neural impulses that travel down an axon

Question 19

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse is called?

Answer 19

the threshold

Question 20

The brief pause after a neuron has fired is called?

Answer 20

the refractory period

Question 21

What is the all-or-none response?

Answer 21

whether or not a neuron fires (at full strength)

Question 22

What does the autonomic nervous system do?

Answer 22

controls glands and muscles of internal organs (heartbeat, digestion)

Question 23

Which nervous system has control over skeletal muscles?

Answer 23

somatic

Question 24

What does the central nervous system consist of?

Answer 24

brain and spinal cord

Question 25

What is a reflex?

Answer 25

an automatic response to a sensory stimulus

Question 26

What do nerves do?

Answer 26

carry electrical impulses between the brain and the body

Question 27

Limbic system function

Answer 27

emotional processing and memory formation

Question 28

Oldest and innermost brain region

Answer 28

brainstem

Question 29

What is the hippocampus involved with

Answer 29

processing of memories, facts, and events in the brain

Question 30

What happens if the hippocampus is damaged

Answer 30

results in poor memory and inability to make new ones

Question 31

Function of amygdala

Answer 31

emotional control and processing (fear and aggression)

Question 32

What is the cerebellum involved with

Answer 32

balance and motor control

Question 33

Thalamus

Answer 33

relay station for sensory information from body to the brain

Question 34

What structures are in the limbic system

Answer 34

amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus

Question 35

Corpus callosum

Answer 35

assists communication between the two brain hemispheres

Question 36

Function of the hypothalamus

Answer 36

regulates hormone release and maintains body temperature, hunger, and thirst

Question 37

Function of the medulla

Answer 37

regulates breathing and heart beat

Question 38

Purpose of the pons

Answer 38

connects the brain and spinal cord and regulates relaxation

Question 39

Function of cerebral cortex

Answer 39

performing higher cognitive functions like complex thinking

Question 40

Parietal lobe

Answer 40

processes sensory information like touch, pressure, temperature, and pain

Question 41

Temporal lobe

Answer 41

processes auditory information and language perception

Question 42

Frontal lobe

Answer 42

responsible for motor function and higher level cognitive skills like problem solving and judgment

Question 43

Occipital lobe

Answer 43

input from eyes and processing visual information

Question 44

Surgical procedure done to separate the brain hemispheres by cutting the corpus callosum fibres

Answer 44

split brain

Question 45

Motor cortex

Answer 45

part of the cerebral cortex that controls voluntary movement

Question 46

Somatosensory cortex

Answer 46

part of the cerebral cortex that registers and processes touch and movement sensations

Question 47

Formation of new neurons

Answer 47

neurogenesis

Question 48

What are reflexes

Answer 48

an automatic response to a sensory stimulus (knee-jerk)