TOPIC 2: The brain and the nervous system

Question 1

Central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 1

The brain and the spinal cord

Question 2

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 2

All nerve cells in the body that are not part of the cns. The
peripheral nervous system includes the somatic and autonomic nervous system

Question 3

Neurons

Answer 3

The basic units of the nervous system; cells that receive, integrate, and transmit
information. They operate through electrical impulses, communicate with other neurons
through chemical signals, and form neural networks

Question 4

Dendrites

Answer 4

Branchlike extensions of the neuron that detect information from other neurons

Question 5

Cell body

Answer 5

The site in the neuron where information from thousands of other neurons is
collected and integrated

Question 6

Axon

Answer 6

A long, narrow outgrowth of a neuron by which information is conducted from the cell
body to the terminal buttons.

Question 7

Terminal buttons

Answer 7

At the ends of axons, small nodules that release chemical signals from the
neuron into the synapse

Question 8

Synapse

Answer 8

The gap between the terminal buttons of a “sending” neuron and the dendrites of a
“receiving” neuron, where chemical communication occurs between the neurons

Question 9

Action potential

Answer 9

The electrical signal that passes along the axon and subsequently causes
the release of chemicals from the terminal buttons.

Question 10

Resting membrane potential

Answer 10

The electrical charge of a neuron when it is not active

Question 11

Relative refractory period

Answer 11

The brief period of time following action potential when a neuron’s
membrane potential is not negative, or hyperpolarized, making it harder to fire again

Question 12

All-or-none principle

Answer 12

The principle that when a neuron fires, it fires with the same potency
each time;a neuron either fires or not, although the frequency of firing can vary

Question 13

Absolute refractory period

Answer 13

The brief period of time following an action potential when the ion
channel is unable to respond again.

Question 14

Absolute threshold

Answer 14

the smallest level of stimulus that can be detected, usually defined as at least half the time

Question 15

Myelin sheath

Answer 15

a fatty material, made up of glial cells, that insulates some axons to allow for
faster movement of electrical impulses along the axon.

Question 16

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 16

Small gaps of exposed axon between the segments of myelin sheath,
where action potentials take place

Question 17

Neurotransmitters

Answer 17

Chemical substances that transmit signals from one neuron to another.

Question 18

Receptors

Answer 18

In neurons, specialized protein molecules on the postsynaptic membrane;
neurotransmitters bind to these molecules after passing across the synapse

Question 19

Synaptic Reuptake

Answer 19

The process whereby a neurotransmitter is taken back into the presynaptic
buttons, thereby stopping its activity

Question 20

Autoreceptors

Answer 20

a receptor for a neurotransmitter that is expressed on the same neuron that releases the neurotransmitter

Question 21

Synaptic enzymes

Answer 21

located in the synaptic cleft and are responsible for breaking down specific neurotransmitters

Question 22

How are agonist drugs affecting neurotransmitter intake?

Answer 22

Increase of precursor
counteracting the cleanup enzymes
blocking re-uptake
mimicking the transmitter’s action

Question 23

Broca’s area

Answer 23

A small portion of the left frontal region of the brain, crucial for the production
of language

Question 24

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 24

A technique for measuring electrical activity in the brain

Question 25

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer 25

a method of brain imaging that assesses metabolic activity by using a radioactive substance injected into the bloodstream

Question 26

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 26

A method of brain imaging that uses a powerful magnetic field to produce high-quality images of the brain

Question 27

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer 27

An imaging technique used to examine changes in the activity of the working human brain by measuring changes in the blood’s oxygen levels

Question 28

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Answer 28

The use of strong magnets to briefly interrupt normal brain activity as a way to study the brain regions

Question 29

Cerebral cortex

Answer 29

The outer layer of brain tissue, which forms the convoluted surface of the brain; the site of all thoughts, perceptions, and complex behaviors

Question 30

Corpus callosum

Answer 30

A massive bridge of millions of axons that connects the hemispheres of the brain and allows information to flow between them

Question 31

Occipital lobes

Answer 31

Regions of the cerebral cortex - at the back of the brain- important for vision

Question 32

Parietal lobes

Answer 32

Regions of the cerebral cortex - in front of the occipital lobes and behind the frontal lobes- important for the sense of touch and for attention to the environment

Question 33

Temporal lobes

Answer 33

Regions of the cerebral cortex -below the parietal lobes and in front of the occipital lobes - important for processing auditory information, form memory, and for object and face perception

Question 34

Frontal lobes

Answer 34

Regions of the cerebral cortex- at the front of the brain- important for movement and high-level psychological processes associated with the prefrontal cortex

Question 35

Prefrontal cortex

Answer 35

The frontmost portion of the frontal lobes, especially prominent in humans; important for attention, working memory, decision making, appropriate social behavior and personality

Question 36

Split brain

Answer 36

A condition that occurs when the corpus callosum is surgically cut and the two hemispheres of the brain do not receive information directly from each other

Question 37

Insula

Answer 37

The part of the cerebral cortex lying inside the lateral fissure; important for taste, pain, perception of bodily states, and empathy

Question 38

Thalamus

Answer 38

The gateway to the brain; it receives almost all incoming sensory information before that information reaches the cortex

Question 39

Hypothalamus

Answer 39

a brain structure that is involved in the regulation of bodily functions, including body temperature, body rhythms, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels; it also influences our basic motivated behaviors

Question 40

Hippocampus

Answer 40

A brain structure that is associated with the formation of memories

Question 41

Amygdala

Answer 41

A brain structure that serves a vital role in learning to associate things with emotional responses and in processing emotional information

Question 42

Basal ganglia

Answer 42

A system of subcortical structures that are important for the planning and production of movement

Question 43

Brain stem

Answer 43

An extension of the spinal cord; it houses structures that control functions associated with survival, such as heart rate, breathing, swallowing, vomiting, urination, and orgasm

Question 44

Cerebellum

Answer 44

A large, convoluted protuberance at the back of the brain stem; itis essential for coordinated movement and balance

Question 45

Somatic nervous system(SNS)

Answer 45

A component of the peripheral nervous system: it transmits sensory signals and motor signals between the central nervous system and the skin, muscles, and joints

Question 46

Autonomic nervous system(ANS)

Answer 46

A component of the peripheral nervous system: it transmits sensory signals and motor signals between the central nervous system and the body’s glands and internal organs

Question 47

Sympathetic division

Answer 47

A division of the autonomic nervous system; it prepares the body for action

Question 48

Parasympathetic division

Answer 48

A division of the autonomic nervous system ; it returns the body to its resting state

Question 49

Endocrine system

Answer 49

A communication system that uses hormones to influence thoughts, behaviors, and actions

Question 50

Hormones

Answer 50

Chemical substances, released from endocrine glands, that travel through the bloodstream to targeted tissues; the tissues are subsequently influenced by the hormones

Question 51

Pituitary gland

Answer 51

A gland located at the base of the hypothalamus; sends hormonal signals to other endocrine glands, controlling their release of hormones

Question 52

Plasticity

Answer 52

A property of the brain that allows it to change as a result of experience or injury

Question 53

How are agonist drugs affecting neurotransmitter intake?

Answer 53

Decrease of precursor increase effectivenesscleanup enzymes enhance the re-uptake blocking of receptors

Question 54

What is serotonin important for?

Answer 54

emotional states, impulse control and dreaming. Low levels are associated with sad and anxious moods, food cravings and aggressive behavior

Question 55

What is dopamine important for?

Answer 55

serves many significant brain functions, especially those related to motivation and reward

Question 56

What is GABA important for?

Answer 56

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter

Question 57

What is glutamate important for?

Answer 57

primary excitatory neurotransmitters

Question 58

What are endorphins important for?

Answer 58

natural pain reduction and reward

Question 59

Wernicke's area:

Answer 59

region of the brain that contains motor neurons involved in the comprehension of speech

Question 60

What does the left hemisphere process?

Answer 60

language(reading, writing, speaking), logic, complex motor behavior

Question 61

What does the right hemisphere process?