SA - The Brain Transmission System

Question 1

Lateralisation

Answer 1

The left and right hemispheres, left controls right and vice versa

Question 2

Plasticity

Answer 2

Building new pathways from one neuron to the next. The capacity of the brain to change and develop new neural connections throughout the lifespan.

Question 3

Neurons

Answer 3

Brain cells

Question 4

Synapse

Answer 4

The point at which a nervous impulse passes from one neutron to another. The gap between the axon and dendrites of two neurons.

Question 5

Pruning

Answer 5

Losing brain cells. We have the most brain cells at birth. The ones that fall off are the ones we are not using

Question 6

Myelination

Answer 6

Sheath or cover around axons transmitting information. The process by which axons are insulated with a sheath of fatty cells, which improves the speed and efficiency of message transmission.

Question 7

Axon

Answer 7

The long arm of a neuron that carries messages to other cells by means of electrical impulses

Question 8

Neurotransmitter

Answer 8

The chemical substance that carries messages across the synapse between neurons

Question 9

Dendrites

Answer 9

Branch-like protrusions from a neuron that receive messages from other cells.

Question 10

Describe the brains transmission system

Answer 10

Neurons transmit information to other neurons via a long arm-like projection known as an axon. When a neuron cell is activated or ‘fired’, information travels as an electrical impulse along the axon, and then crosses a gap called the synapse by means of a chemical neurotransmitter. The synapse thus forms a junction between neurons. The branch-like dendrites of the neighbouring neuron receive the message.