The Nervous System Vocab

Question 1

central nervous system

Answer 1

brain & spinal cord (The body’s decision maker)

Question 2

peripheral nervous system

Answer 2

nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and extend to all the body (Gathers information and transmits CNS decisions to other body parts)

Question 3

Neuron

Answer 3

nerve cells that send and receive signals that affect many aspects of behavior and motor control

Question 4

cell body

Answer 4

The neuron’s life-support center. It contains the nucleus of the neuron.

Question 5

dendrite

Answer 5

branches/tendrils that receive and integrate information from other cells and send it to the cell body

Question 6

axon

Answer 6

passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands

Question 7

Myelin Sheath

Answer 7

a layer of fatty tissue that covers the axon of some neurons and helps increase the speed of nerve impulses

Question 8

glial cells

Answer 8

Cells that interact with neurons. They provide nutrients, insulate myelin, guide neural connections, and more. They also help with memory, thinking, and learning

Question 9

synapse

Answer 9

The meeting point between neurons

Question 10

3 vital functions of the endocrine system

Answer 10

1. makes hormones for development and growth
2. sends hormones into your bloodstream
3. regulates the release of hormones

Question 11

adrenal gland

Answer 11

Located on top of kidneys and releases hormones that increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar to provide a surge of energy (fight or flight response)

Question 12

pituitary gland

Answer 12

a pea-sized structure located in the core of the brain where it is controlled by the hypothalamus. It secretes many hormones that contribute to growth and development

Question 13

The simplest form of behavior

Answer 13

a reflex

Question 14

axon terminal

Answer 14

The end of the axon that connects with dendrites to transmit impulses

Question 15

Frontal lobe

Answer 15

Front part of the brain that is the emotional control center and is involved in behavior and personality

Question 16

Parietal lobe

Answer 16

The top part of the brain that processes external info (senses)

Question 17

Occipital lobe

Answer 17

The back of the brain that handles visual perception

Question 18

Temporal lobe

Answer 18

The middle of the brain that handles auditory perception (and some visuals)

Question 19

Brain stem

Answer 19

Connects the brain to the spinal cord and the rest of the body.

Question 20

Cerebellum

Answer 20

The bottom of the brain that controls posture and balance and helps with complex motor functions like walking, standing, or running

Question 21

What does the spinal cord do?

Answer 21

• Controls body movements and functions
• Reports senses to your brain
• Manages your reflex

Question 22

Which hemisphere controls nonverbal processing such as imagination, emotion, visual and musical recognition?

Answer 22

Right

Question 23

Which hemisphere controls verbal processing such as speaking, reading, and writing?

Answer 23

Left

Question 24

nodes of ranvier

Answer 24

gaps in the myelin sheaths that facilitate the rapid movement of the electrochemical impulses