Ch. 2 Brain and Behavior

Question 1

neurons

Answer 1

the cells that facilitate communication within the nervous system

Question 2

neurons in your brain connect with…

Answer 2

parts of your body outside your brain (receive sensory input from hands, send motor output to feet, etc.)

Question 3

interneurons

Answer 3

neurons that serve only to connect to other nearby neurons (don’t reach farther out into body)

Question 4

neurons that extend beyond the brain fall into two categories…

Answer 4

1) neurons that deliver messages to your brain

2) neurons that deliver messages from your brain

Question 5

sensory neurons carry…

Answer 5

information to your brain from your senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch)

Question 6

motor neurons carry…

Answer 6

messages from your brain to your muscles

Question 7

reflex

Answer 7

an automatic motor response to sensory input

Question 8

the center of each neuron is the…

Answer 8

cell body

Question 9

cell body (or soma)

Answer 9

large central region of neuron; performs basic activities (production of energy to keep the neuron functional)

Question 10

axon

Answer 10

the part of the neuron that carries information toward other neurons

Question 11

axon terminals

Answer 11

small branches at the end of an axon that form connections with the next neuron

Question 12

dendrites

Answer 12

branches at the end of neurons that receive signals from other neurons

Question 13

myelin sheath

Answer 13

a protective sleeve of fatty material that surrounds the axon

Question 14

glial cells

Answer 14

cells that support and protect neurons throughout the brain

Question 15

myelin sheath in neuronal communication…

Answer 15

makes sure that messages travel through axons at max. speed and with minimal loss

Question 16

deterioration of the myelin sheath is…

Answer 16

multiple sclerosis (MS): a disease that can affect movement/sensation

Question 17

When a signal from a neuron makes it successfully through the axon…

Answer 17

the message travels from an axon terminal of one neuron to a dendrite of the next neuron

Question 18

synapse

Answer 18

a gap between two connecting neurons

Question 19

neurotransmitters

Answer 19

chemical messengers that travel across synapses from one neuron to the next

Question 20

drugs that enhance the impact of a neurotransmitter…

Answer 20

agonists

Question 21

drugs that interfere with the impact of a neurotransmitter…

Answer 21

antagonists

Question 22

neurotransmitters travel in…

Answer 22

synaptic vesicles

Question 23

synaptic vesicles

Answer 23

tiny, sacklike containers for neurotransmitters

Question 24

receptor sites

Answer 24

openings in dendrites that match specific neurotransmitters like a lock fits a specific key

Question 25

reuptake

Answer 25

the process when a neurotransmitter is taken back up by the sending neuron after failing to land in a receptor site in the receiving neuron

Question 26

action potential

Answer 26

the release, or firing, of an electrical impulse that travels through the axon

Question 27

the all or nothing response:

Answer 27

when action potentials either happen completely or don’t happen at all

Question 28

resting potential

Answer 28

the low-level electrical charge in a neuron that is not firing

Question 29

threshold

Answer 29

the level of electrical charge required to trigger an action potential

Question 30

refractory period

Answer 30

a waiting time before another action potential can begin, during which the neuron is reset

Question 31

in humans neuron connections depend on...

Answer 31

experience, especially early life experience

Question 32

other species are hard wired at birth, meaning...

Answer 32

certain axon terminals are connected to certain dendrites across synapses from day one

Question 33

humans adaptability allows each of our brains to...

Answer 33

customize the synaptic connections we need and make that determination while we grow up

Question 34

Neurotransmitter that reduces pain/increases pleasure

Answer 34

Endorphins

Question 35

Neurotransmitter that influences brain’s reward system/body’s movement

Answer 35

Dopamine

Question 36

Neurotransmitter that influences mood (sleep/appetite)

Answer 36

Serotonin

Question 37

Neurotransmitter that helps fight-or-flight response

Answer 37

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Question 38

Neurotransmitter that influences immune system

Answer 38

Histamine

Question 39

Neurotransmitter that helps activate muscles

Answer 39

Acetylcholine

Question 40

Neurotransmitter that helps control anxiety

Answer 40

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Question 41

Neurotransmitter that helps memory/learning/brain development

Answer 41

Glutamate