Bio Unit

Question 1

Automatic Nervous System

Answer 1

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls glands and the muscles of internal organs. It’s sympathetic division arouses it’s parasympathetic division calms

Question 2

Cebtral Nervous System

Answer 2

The CNS is the main control center of the body—it takes in sensory information, organizes and synthesizes this input, then provides instructions for motor output to the rest of the body. The CNS is made up of the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord.

Question 3

Efferent neurons

Answer 3

Efferent Neurons (also known as efferent nerve fibers) are conducting cells that carry information from the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to muscles and organs throughout the body. These neurons carry electrical impulses that tell organs and muscles what to do. To move your arm efferent neurons would carry the electrical impulse from your brain, throughout the spinal cord and to your arm where muscles receive the information to move. The opposite of efferent neurons are afferent neurons which carry impulses from receptors in muscles, organs, and glands to the central nervous system.

Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Efferent%20Neurons#ixzz3lApBQF4u

Question 4

EEG

Answer 4

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity by sweeping across the brains surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

Question 5

Genotype

Answer 5

The total set of genes contained within an organisms cells. Organisms contain some genes that are expressed (you can consider the “expressed” to mean that the gene is active or being used) and some that are not. Regardless, all the genes an organism has are considered the genotype.

Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Genotype#ixzz3lAq8n9aE

Question 6

Lesioning

Answer 6

Tissue distruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Question 7

MRI

Answer 7

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain activity

Question 8

Parasympathetic division

Answer 8

The parasympathetic nervous system (abbreviated PN to avoid confusion with the peripheral nervous system (PNS)) is one of the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the other being the sympathetic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating the body’s unconscious actions.

Question 9

PET

Answer 9

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

Question 10

Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 10

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

Question 11

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 11

The parasympathetic nervous system (abbreviated PN to avoid confusion with the peripheral nervous system (PNS)) is one of the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the other being the sympathetic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating the body’s unconscious actions.

Question 12

Somatic Brain System

Answer 12

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscle

Question 13

Split brain surgery

Answer 13

A condition that results from surgery that isolates the brains two hemispheres by cutting the fibers connecting them

Question 14

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 14

The divison of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

Question 15

Resting potential

Answer 15

Resting potential refers to the polarization of cellular fluid within a neuron that provides the potential to produce an action. Let’s use a sports example - in baseball, the batter standing at home plate waiting for the pitcher to throw the ball may be standing still (appears to be in a resting state), but is actually prepared to respond to the pitch. You might say the batter has resting potential to swing the bat.

Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Resting%20Potential#ixzz3lIts1nVR

Question 16

Action potential

Answer 16

A neural impulse a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Question 17

Absolute refractory period

Answer 17

refractory period is a “resting period” after orgasm during which another orgasm is not possible. In men, the refractory period can last from a few minutes to more than a day. Conversely, women have very short refractory periods which make it possible for them to have multiple orgasms (lucky women :).

Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Refractory%20Period#ixzz3lIuQovGE

Question 18

All or none law

Answer 18

The All-or-None Law states that the physical reaction of a nerve or muscle to an outside stimulus will be the same regardless of the comparative strength of the stimulus; there’s either a complete response or no response at all.

Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=All-or-None%20Law#ixzz3lIuegFIt

Question 19

Reuptake

Answer 19

A neurotransmitter reabsorbtion by the sending neuron

Question 20

Refractory

Answer 20

A refractory period is a “resting period” after orgasm during which another orgasm is not possible. In men, the refractory period can last from a few minutes to more than a day. Conversely, women have very short refractory periods which make it possible for them to have multiple orgasms (lucky women :).

Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Refractory%20Period#ixzz3lIvNoMeb

Question 21

Postsynaptic potentials

Answer 21

Postsynaptic potentials are changes in the membrane potential of the postsynaptic terminal of a chemical synapse. Postsynaptic potentials are graded potentials, and should not be confused with action potentials although their function is to initiate or inhibit action potentials.

Question 22

Agonist

Answer 22

A molecule that by binding to a reciptor site, stimulates a response

Question 23

Antagonist

Answer 23

A molecule that by binding to a reciptor site inhibits or blocks a response

Question 24

Pituitary Gland

Answer 24

The endocrine system most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Question 25

Adrenal Glands

Answer 25

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress

Question 26

Gonads

Answer 26

Glands that make sex hormones and reproductive cells-testes in the male, ovaries in the female

Question 27

Hormones

Answer 27

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues

Question 28

Soma

Answer 28

The Soma is cell body of a neuron and contains the nucleus of the cell. The soma doesn’t play an active role in transmitting neural signals, but it keeps the cell functioning and holds the cell’s DNA. Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Soma#ixzz3lIyOtsCI

Question 29

Dendrites

Answer 29

A neuron bushy branching extension that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell of the body

Question 30

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 30

Nodes of ranvier are small spaces or gaps between the myelin sheath (the fatty substance that coats the axon). The myelin sheath coats some neurons and speeds information through the neuron. The way the mylen sheath helps speed the neural impulse is by making it possible for the impulse to jump from node to node as opposed to traveling down th Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Nodes%20of%20Ranvier#ixzz3lIz3dS00

Question 31

Axon

Answer 31

The nueron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscular glands

Question 32

Mylin Sheath

Answer 32

A fatty tissue layer segment ally encasing the axons of some nuerons; enables vastly greater transformation speed as bureau impulses hop from one nod to the other

Question 33

Terminal branches

Answer 33

An Axon Terminal is the very end of a branch of a nerve's axon, a long slender nerve fiber that conducts electrical signals to a nerve synapse (the gap between nerve cells). The signal then moves across the synapse to another axon by means of a neurotransmitter (an electrochemical substance). Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Axon%20Terminal#ixzz3lJ04adCC

Question 34

Right and left hemispheres

Answer 34

According to the theory of left-brain or right-brain dominance, each side of the brain controls different types of thinking. Additionally, people are said to prefer one type of thinking over the other. For example, a person who is "left-brained" is often said to be more logical, analytical, and objective. A person who is "right-brained" is said to be more intuitive, thoughtful, and subjective.

Question 35

Frontal

Answer 35

A region of the cerebral cortex at the front of the brain (lying just behind the forehead) that is necessary for motor control and more complex, high-end functioning like speech, decision making, and judgments. Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Frontal%20Lobes#ixzz3lJ1AQGQ8

Question 36

Parietal lobe

Answer 36

The area in the brain which plays a major part in touch, pressure and temperature. The parietal lobe would inform you the temperature of a hard boiled egg and would allow you to pick up that egg with just enough pressure to hold it and not crush it. Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Parietal%20Lobe#ixzz3lJ1TDb4q

Question 37

Occipital Lobe

Answer 37

The brain can be divided into four main areas, one of which is the occipital lobe, which is the area of the brain located at the rear of the head. The occipital lobe is responsible for sight. Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Occipital%20Lobe#ixzz3lJ1raqRL

Question 38

Temporal lobe

Answer 38

temporal lobe is involved in primary auditory perception, such as hearing, and holds the primary auditory cortex. The primary auditory cortex receives sensory information from the ears and secondary areas process the information into meaningful units such as speech and words.

Question 39

Sensory cortex

Answer 39

The sensory cortex is an umbrella term that encompasses all the senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Although many different sections in the brain are responsible for each particular sense, such as the occipital lobe for visual acuity, the sensory cortex is a blanket term used to refer to all of the senses. Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Sensory%20Cortex#ixzz3lJ3bUvhO

Question 40

Motor cortex

Answer 40

An area at the rear of the frontals lobes that controls voluntary movements

Question 41

Thalamus

Answer 41

The brains sensory control center located on the top of the brainstem, it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Question 42

Hypothalamus

Answer 42

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintainable activities helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion and reward

Question 43

Amygalda

Answer 43

Two Lima sized bean neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion

Question 44

Hippocampus

Answer 44

A neural center located in the limbic system helps process explicit memories for storage

Question 45

Corpus callosum

Answer 45

The large band of the neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Question 46

Brainstem

Answer 46

The oldest part and central core of the brain beggining where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

Question 47

Reticular formation

Answer 47

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thamalus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

Question 48

Medulla

Answer 48

The base of the brainstem controls heart and breathing

Question 49

Cerebellum

Answer 49

The "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem functions include processing sensory input coordinating movement output and balance and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

Question 50

Cerebral cortex

Answer 50

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres the body's ultimate control and information processing center

Question 51

Pons

Answer 51

Also called pons Varolii. a band of nerve fibers in the brain connecting the lobes of the midbrain, medulla, and cerebrum. any tissue connecting two parts of a body organ or structure.

Question 52

Broca's area

Answer 52

Controls language expression an area of the frontal lobe usually In the left hemisphere that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

Question 53

Wernickes area

Answer 53

Controls language reception a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression using the left temporal lobe

Question 54

Neurotransmitters

Answer 54

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons when released by the sending neuron Nero transmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptors sites on the receiving neuron thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

Question 55

Synapses

Answer 55

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the Dendrid or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft

Question 56

Afferent Neurons

Answer 56

Neurons that carry information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord