Unit 1

Question 1

Amygdala

Answer 1

a structure in the forebrain that is an important component of the lambic system and plays a main role in emotional learning, particularly within the context of fear

Question 2

Astrocyte

Answer 2

a star-shaped glial cell in the central nervous system that nourished neurons, regulates the formation/maintained/pruning of synapses. It also contributes to the blood-brain barrier

Question 3

Axon

Answer 3

the fiber-like extension of a neuron by which it sends information to target cells

Question 4

axon terminal

Answer 4

the ends of axons where neurotransmitters are released to target cells

Question 5

basal ganglia

Answer 5

a group of interconnected structures located deep in the brain that play an important role in voluntary movement, motor skill learning, and habits. these structures include the caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, globes pallidus, substantia nigra

Question 6

brain waves

Answer 6

oscillating patterns of brain activity that can be detected and recorded using EEG

Question 7

brainstem

Answer 7

the major route by which the forebrain sends information to and receives information from the spinal cored and peripheral nerves. the brainstem includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla, and it controls, among other things, respiration and the regulation of the heart rythms

Question 8

cell body

Answer 8

also called the some, the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus (with DNA) and the organelles, but not the projections such as axon or dendrites

Question 9

cerebellum

Answer 9

a large structure located at the roof of the hindbrain that helps to control the cording action of movement by making connections to the pons, medulla, spinal cord, and thalamus. also involved in aspects of motor learning

Question 10

cerebral cortex

Answer 10

the wrinkled, outermost layer of the cerebrum consisting primarily of neuron cell bodies.

Question 11

cerebrum

Answer 11

the largest part of the human brain associated with higher order functioning such as thinking, perceiving, planning, and understanding language, as well as the control of voluntary behavior

Question 12

corpus callosum

Answer 12

the large binder of nerve fibers linking the left and right cerebral hemispheres

Question 13

dendrite

Answer 13

a treelike extension of the neuron cell body. it is the primary site for receiving and integrating information from other neurons

Question 14

depolarization

Answer 14

a change in the neurons membrane potential in which the cytoplasm becomes more positively charged. neurons must depolarized beyond a certain threshold to generate an action potential

Question 15

EEG

Answer 15

a tech used to recorded electrical activity of the human brain in response to a variety of stimuli and activities

Question 16

excitatory

Answer 16

a type of neuron ( or neurotransmitter) that excites target neurons and increases the likelihood of their firing and action potential

Question 17

forebrain

Answer 17

a region of the developing brain that goes on to become the cerebral hemispheres and major parts of the limbic system

Question 18

frontal lobe

Answer 18

one of the 4 subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. the frontal lobe has a role in controlling movement and in the planning and coordination of behavior

Question 19

hindbrain

Answer 19

the most posterior part of the brain, comprising the pons, medulla, and cerebellum

Question 20

himmocampus

Answer 20

a seahorse-shaped structure located within the brain and considered an important part of the lambic system. one of the most studied parts of the brain, it is involved in learning, memory, and emotion

Question 21

hyperpolarization

Answer 21

a change in a neuron’s membrane potential in which the cytoplasm becomes more negatively charged and therefore less likely to fire an action potential

Question 22

hypothalamus

Answer 22

qa complex brain structure composed of many nuclei with various functions, including regulating the activities of internal organs, monitoring information from the automiactic nervous system, controlling the pituary gland, and regulating sleep and appetite

Question 23

inhibitory

Answer 23

a type of neuron that protects a target neuron from firing

Question 24

ion channel

Answer 24

proteins embedded in the cell membrane that allow ions or other small molecules to enter of leave that cell

Question 25

limbic system

Answer 25

a group of structures deep within the brain involved in motivation and emotion. the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and hypothalamus are all parts of the limbic system

Question 26

medulla

Answer 26

a structure of the brain stem that controls basic functions like swelling, breathing, and heart rate

Question 27

membrane potential

Answer 27

the voltage difference between the inside and outside of a neuron. the typical membrane potential of a neuron at rest is -70mV

Question 28

microglia

Answer 28

glial cells in the central nervous system that function as resident immune cells

Question 29

midbrain

Answer 29

the most anterior segment of the brain stem, with the pons and medulla, the midbrain is involved in many functions, including regualtion of the hart rate, respiration, pain perception, and movement

Question 30

neurotransmitters

Answer 30

chemical messengers released by neurons at a synapse for the purpose of relaying information to other cells

Question 31

occipital lobes

Answer 31

one of the for subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. the occipital lobe plays a role in processing visual information.

Question 32

oligodendrocyte

Answer 32

a type of glial cell in the central nervous system that forms myelin

Question 33

parietal lobes

Answer 33

one of the 4 subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. the parietal lobe plays a role in sensory processes, attention, and language

Question 34

pituary gland

Answer 34

an endocrine organ closely linked with the hypothalamus. in humans, the gland composed of 2 lobes and secretes several different hormones that regulate the activity of the other endocrine organs throughout the body

Question 35

pons

Answer 35

a part of the hindbrain that, with other brain structures, controls respiration and regulation heart rhythms. the pons is a major route by which the forebrain sends information to and receives information from the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system

Question 36

synapse

Answer 36

a physical gap between two neurons that functions as the site of information transfer from one neuron to another

Question 37

temporal lobes

Answer 37

one of the four subdivisions of each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex. the temporal lobe functions in auditory perception, speech, and complex visual perceptions.

Question 38

thalamus

Answer 38

a structure consisting of two egg shaped masses of nerve tissue, each about the size of a walnut, deep within the brain. the key relay station of sensory information flowing into the brain, the thalamus filters out information of particular importance from the mass of signals entering the brain