U6 Test Flashcards
What is Cortex/gray matter?
Your brain’s outermost layer of nerve cell tissue
Cortex is involved in many high-level brain functions, including perception, thought, and memory.
What is white matter?
A network of nerve fibers that connects different areas of the brain
White matter is essential for communication between brain regions.
What is a neuron?
Cell that makes up your nervous system
Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system.
What is the function of dendrites?
Receive impulses passed along from other neurons
Dendrites are critical for the reception of signals in the neuron.
What is the role of an axon?
Carry impulses away from the cell body
Axons are responsible for transmitting information to different neurons or muscles.
What does myelin do?
Speeds up transition
Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates axons and enhances signal transmission.
What is a synapse?
Fluid-filled gap that carries a message through the body
Synapses are crucial for communication between neurons.
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemicals messengers that transmit signals between neurons in the brain and other parts of the nervous system
Neurotransmitters play a key role in mood, memory, and various bodily functions.
What is the weight of the average human brain?
3 lbs
What percentage of oxygen does the average human brain demand?
20%
What are the scientific names and informal names for the 3 main parts of the human brain?
- Cerebrum - wizard brain
- Cerebellum
- Brainstem - lizard brain
What are the basic responsibilities of the cerebrum?
Behavior, perception, thinking
What is the basic responsibility of the cerebellum?
Motor skills
What are the basic responsibilities of the brainstem?
Basic life functions
What are the 4 lobes of the cerebrum?
- Frontal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Occipital lobe
- Parietal lobe
What are the basic responsibilities of the frontal lobe?
Complaining, problem-solving, speech
What is the basic responsibility of the temporal lobe?
Memory
What is the basic responsibility of the occipital lobe?
Visual processing
What is the basic responsibility of the pariental lobe?
Sensory processing (Touch, temp, pain, pressure), spatial orientation
What is the primary job of the amygdala?
Emotion
What is the primary job of the hippocampus?
Memory conversion
What does the hypothalamus supervise and regulate?
Body processes (body temp, food intake, thirst)
What is the function of the thalamus?
Relays information
How is an electrical impulse carried from one neuron to another?
Released through synapses between neurons and muscles
Why does myelin matter?
It speeds up impulses and feelings
In which lobe are short-term (working) memories formed?
Prefrontal cortex
In which lobe are long-term memories consolidated?
Hippocampus
List five reasons why aging can make it harder to form and store new memories.
- Shrinking of the hippocampus
- Brain shrinkage
- Brain not making more neurons
- Weakened connections between neurons
- Decrease in blood flow
- Isolation
- Chronic stress
