Chapter 2: The Brain And Behavior

Question 1

Nervous system

Answer 1

The body’s electrochemical communication circuitry

Question 2

Plasticity

Answer 2

The brain’s special capacity for change

Question 3

Afferent nerves

Answer 3

Also called sensory nerves; nerves that carry information about the external environment to the brain and spinal cord via sensory receptors

Question 4

Efferent nerves

Answer 4

Also called motor nerves; nerves that carry information out of the brain and spinal cord to other area of the body

Question 5

Neural networks

Answer 5

Networks of nerve cells that sensory input and motor output

Question 6

Central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 6

The brain and spinal cord

Question 7

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 7

The network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body

Question 8

Somatic nervous system

Answer 8

The body system consisting of sensory nerves, whose function is to convey information from the skin and muscles to the central nervous system about conditions such as pain and temperature, and the motor nerves, whose function is to tell muscles what to do

Question 9

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 9

The body system that takes messages to and from the body’s internal organs, monitoring such processes as breathing, heart rate and digestion

Question 10

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 10

The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body to mobilize it for action and thus is involved in the experience of stress

Question 11

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 11

The part of the nervous system that calms the body

Question 12

Stress

Answer 12

The responses of individuals to environmental stressors

Question 13

Stressors

Answer 13

Circumstances and events that threaten individuals and tax their coping abilities and that cause physiological changes to ready the body to handle the assault of stress

Question 14

Neurons

Answer 14

One of two types of cells in the nervous system; neurons are the nerve cells that handle the information processing function

Question 15

Glial cells

Answer 15

The second of two types of cells in the nervous system; glial cells (also called glia) provide support, nutritional benefits, and other function to keep neurons running smoothly

Question 16

Cell body

Answer 16

The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, which directs the manufacturer of substances that the neuron needs for growth and maintenance

Question 17

Dendrites

Answer 17

Treelike fibers projecting from a neuron which receive information and orient it toward the neuron’s cell body

Question 18

Axon

Answer 18

The part of the neuron that information away from the cell body and toward other cells

Question 19

Myelin sheath

Answer 19

A layer of fat cells that encases and insulates most axons

Question 20

Resting potential

Answer 20

The stable, negative charge of and inactive neuron between -60 and -75 millivolts

Question 21

Action potential

Answer 21

The brief wave of posative electrical charge that sweeps down the axon

Question 22

All-or-nothing principle

Answer 22

The principle that once the electrical impulse reaches a certain level of intensity (its threshold), it fires and moves all the way down the axon without losing any intensity

Question 23

Synapses

Answer 23

Tiny spaces between neurons; the gaps between neurons are referred to as synaptic gaps

Question 24

Neurotransmitters

Answer 24

Chemical substances that are stored in very tiny sacs within the neuron’s terminal buttons and involved in transmitting information across a synaptic gap to the next neuron

Question 25

Acetylcholine (ACH)

Answer 25

Usually stimulates the firing of neurons and is involved in the action of muscles, learning, and memory. People with Alzheimer’s often have and ACH deficiency

Question 26

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric-acid)

Answer 26

Neurotransmitters in nearly one third of all the brain’s synapses; helps keep many neurons from firing and controls the precision of which neurotransmitters are being carried from one neurons to the next. Low levels of GABA are linked to anxiety and is often included in anti anxiety medication

Question 27

Glutamate

Answer 27

Has a key role in exciting many neurons to fire and is especially involved in learning and memory; too much glutamate can cause headaches and seizures; glutamate is a factor in anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease

Question 28

Norepinephrine

Answer 28

Inhibits the firing of neurons in the central nervous system, but excited the heart muscle, intestines and urogenital tract; stress stimulates the release of norepinephrine; this NT helps to control alertness

Question 29

Dopamine

Answer 29

Helps to control voluntary movement and affects mood, sleep, attention, learning, and the ability to recognize rewards and other important signals in the environment. Low levels are linked to Parkinson’s disease, high levels to extroversion, and extreme high levels to schizophrenia.

Question 30

Serotonin

Answer 30

Involved in the regulation of sleep, mood, attention and learning. It teams with norepinephrine and acetylcholine to regulate states of sleep and wakefulness; this NT is key to maintaining the brain’s neuroplasticity; low levels are linked to depression, and many drugs for depression treatment contain serotonin

Question 31

Endorphins

Answer 31

Naturally opiates that mainly stimulate the firing of neurons. Endorphins shield the body from pain and elevate feelings of pleasure. A long distance runner, a woman giving birth, and a person in shock after a car wreck would all have elevated levels of endorphins. Narcotics such as morphine mimic the effect of natural endorphins by stimulating the same receptors in the brain

Question 32

Oxytocin

Answer 32

A hormone and neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the experience of love and social bonding. Oxytocin is released in women after giving birth and in both genders after orgasm.

Question 33

Agonist

Answer 33

A drug that mimics or increases a neurotransmitters effects

Question 34

Antagonist

Answer 34

A drug that block’s a neurotransmitters effects

Question 35

Hindbrain

Answer 35

Located at the skull’s rear, the lowest portion of the brain, consisting of the medulla, cerebellum, and pons

Question 36

Cerebral cortex

Answer 36

The thin outer layer of the cerebellum that is involved in higher brain functions such as thinking, learning, problem solving, language and social behavior

Question 37

Cerebellum

Answer 37

Central to motor coordination, particularly balance, postures, and coordinated movements

Question 38

Thalamus

Answer 38

The relay center of the brain. Sensory information from the receptors in the body travel to the thalamus, which sends it to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex

Question 39

Hypothalamus

Answer 39

The master gland of the limbic system. The hypothalamus plays a role in eating, drinking, and sex as well as emotion, stress, and reward. Maintains homeostasis so it is responsible for the equilibrium of systems such as body temperature and blood pressure.

Question 40

Reticular formation

Answer 40

A system in the midbrain comprising a diffuse collection of neurons involved in stereotypes patterns such as walking, sleeping and turning to attend to a sudden noise

Question 41

Brainstem

Answer 41

The stemlike brain area that includes much of the hindbrain(excluding the cerebellum) and the midbrain; connects with the spinal cord at its lower end and then extends upward to encase the reticular formation in the midbrain

Question 42

Midbrain

Answer 42

Located between the hindbrain and forebrain, an area in which many nerve fiber systems ascend and descend to connect the higher and lower portions of the brain; in particular the midbrain relays information between the brain and the eyes and ears

Question 43

Forebrain

Answer 43

The brain’s largest division and the most forward part

Question 44

Limbic system

Answer 44

A set of sub cortical brain structures central to emotion, memory, and reward processing

Question 45

Amygdala

Answer 45

An almost shaped structure within the base of the temporal lobe that is involved in the discrimination of objects that are necessary for the organisms survival such as appropriate food, mates, and social rivals. Also plays a role in emotional response. Especially in fear and aggression. Detects and stress and is part of the system that triggers fight or flight.

Question 46

Hippocampus

Answer 46

The structure in the limbic system that has a special role for the storage of memories.

Question 47

Basal ganglia

Answer 47

Large neuron clusters located above the thalamus and under the cerebral cortex that works with the cerebellum and cerebral cortex to control and coordinate voluntary movements

Question 48

Occipital lobes

Answer 48

Structures located in the back of the head that respond to visual stimuli

Question 49

Medulla

Answer 49

Begins where the spinal cord enters the skull. This structure controls many vital functions such as breathing, and heart rate. It also regulates our reflexes

Question 50

Temporal lobes

Answer 50

Structures in the cerebral cortex that are located just above the ears and are involved in hearing, language processing and memory.

Question 51

Frontal lobes

Answer 51

Portion of the cerebral cortex behind the forehead, involved in personality, intelligence, and the control of voluntary muscles.

Question 52

Prefrontal cortex

Answer 52

An important part of the frontal lobes that is involved in higher cognitive functions such as planning, reasoning, and self control

Question 53

Parietal lobes

Answer 53

Structures at the top and toward the rear of the head that are involved in registered special location, attention, and motor control.

Question 54

Somatosensory cortex

Answer 54

A region in the cerebral cortex that processes information about body sensations, located at the front of the parietal lobes

Question 55

Motor cortex

Answer 55

A region in the cerebral cortex, located just behind the frontal lobes, that processes information about voluntary movement

Question 56

Corpus callosum

Answer 56

The large bundle of axons that connects the brain’s two hemispheres, responsible for relaying information between the two sides

Question 57

Stem cells

Answer 57

Unique, primitive cells that have the capacity to develop into most types of human cells

Question 58

Pons

Answer 58

Controls sleep and arousal