Unit 3A: Neural Processing and the Endocrine System

Question 1

What is Phrenology?

Answer 1

Phrenology was the belief, started in the 1800s by Franz Gall, that bumps on a person’s head revealed aspects of their personality or intelligence.

Question 2

What is a neuron

Answer 2

A cell used in the nervous system to send and receive messages.

Question 3

Neurons that send messages from the body to the brain

Answer 3

Sensory Neuron

Question 4

Neuron that sends messages from the brain to the body

Answer 4

Motor Neuron

Question 5

Neurons located in the brain which communicate with other brain neurons

Answer 5

Interneuron

Question 6

The “arms” branching from the body of a neuron that receive information from other neurons

Answer 6

Dendrite

Question 7

The body of a cell

Answer 7

Cell Body

Question 8

The “brain” of the cell, located in the very center of the body

Answer 8

Nucleus

Question 9

The area immediately before the axon that initially begins an action potential

Answer 9

Axon Hillock

Question 10

The long “arm” of a neuron which sends a message (length can range from less than a millimeter, to several feet)

Answer 10

Axon

Question 11

The fatty tissue which insulates the axon

Answer 11

Myelin Sheath

Question 12

The cell that produces the fatty tissue that makes up the myelin sheath

Answer 12

Schwann Cell

Question 13

The electro-chemical charge that travels across the axon

Answer 13

Action Potential

Question 14

The “arms” extending at the end of the axon, which send messages to other neurons

Answer 14

Axon Terminal / Terminal Button / Terminal Branches

All words for the same thing

Question 15

The extremely small gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another

Answer 15

Synaptic Gap (or Synaptic Cleft)

Question 16

The minimum electrical stimulation required by the axon hillock to send an action potential

Answer 16

Threshold

Question 17

The period of time after an action potential is sent that the axon is unable to accept another action potential

Answer 17

Refractory Period

Question 18

Neurotransmitter whose main use is movement

Answer 18

Acetylcholine

Question 19

Neurotransmitter whose main purpose is mood (have enough, GREAT! - don’t have enough? depressed / anxious)

Answer 19

Serotonin

Question 20

Neurotransmitter - too much? SCHIZOPHRENIA, too little? PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Answer 20

Dopamine

Question 21

Mimics a neurotransmitter well enough to bind to the receptor site and fire

Answer 21

Agonist

Question 22

Mimics a neurotransmitter well enough to bind to the receptor site and clog the site, so that actual neurotransmitters can not fire

Answer 22

Antagonist

Question 23

The process of neurotransmitters going back into the axon terminal from the synapse after “firing”

Answer 23

Reuptake

Question 24

A drug that works by preventing neurotransmitters from reentering the axon terminal from the synapse

Answer 24

Reuptake inhibitor

Question 25

Oh crap, I am depressed, what happened?

Answer 25

Too little serotonin

Question 26

Dang, I have schizophrenia, what is going on?

Answer 26

Too much dopamine

Question 27

I'm all shaky from Parkinson's, what's happening?

Answer 27

Too little dopamine

Question 28

I can't move, I'm completely paralyzed, WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?!?!

Answer 28

Too little Acetylcohline (or presence of ACh (Acetylcholine) antagonist)

Question 29

I'm moving my body uncontrollably, AAAAAAHHHHHHH!

Answer 29

Too much Acetylcohline (or presence of ACh (Acetylcholine) agonist)

Question 30

The spot on the dendrite where the neurotransmitter "binds"

Answer 30

Receptor Site

Question 31

Neurotransmitter which primarily sends *inhibitory* signals (makes the receiving neuron *less* likely to send an action potential)

Answer 31

GABA

Question 32

Main neurotransmitter involved with Alcohol

Answer 32

GABA

Question 33

The "chemical messengers" of the endocrine system

Answer 33

Hormones

Question 34

Hormone released by the adrenal gland

Answer 34

Epinepherine and Norepinepherine (Adrenaline and Noradrenaline)

Question 35

Bundles of connected axons are called:

Answer 35

Nerves

Question 36

System of nerves (bundled axons) which form the brain and spinal cord

Answer 36

Central Nervous System

Question 37

System of nerves (bundled axons) which connect to the muscles, glands and sensory receptors

Answer 37

Peripheral Nervous System

Question 38

Part of the nervous system controlled conscious (inside of our control, e.g. moving our hands)

Answer 38

Somatic Nervous System

Question 39

Part of the peripheral nervous system which operates unconsciously (out of our control and awareness, e.g. our heartbeat or breathing)

Answer 39

Autonomic Nervous System

Question 40

The "master" hormone secreting gland which controls all others

Answer 40

Pituitary Gland

Question 41

The hormonal gland which secretes epinephrine (adrenaline)

Answer 41

Adrenal Gland