Chapter 02

Question 1

Neuron

Answer 1

The cell that receives and transmits signals throughout the body, especially in the brain

Question 2

Glial Cell

Answer 2

• A care-taker cell that brings nutrients
• Removes dead cells
• Forms the Myelin (fatty tissue around the axon)

Question 3

Dendrite

Answer 3

Receives a chemical signal

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

Carries the signal (electrochemical)

Question 5

Myelin

Answer 5

Fatty tissue that insulates the signal

Question 6

Action Potential

Answer 6

The exchange of sodium (+Na) & potassium (-K) across the membrane creates electrical signal down axon

Question 7

Afferent Neuron

Answer 7

Brings sensory signals and signals from internal organs in to the brain

• Organ -> brain

Question 8

Efferent Neuron

Answer 8

Carries signals from the brain out to the muscles

• Brain -> organ

Question 9

Spinal Reflex

Answer 9

A sudden reaction to pain without the need for neuron signals to go back and forth from the brain

Question 10

Terminal

Answer 10

Bulbs at the end of an axon that contain pockets of neurotransmitters

Question 11

Synapse

Answer 11

Fluid space between neurons; chemicals float next to a neuron

• Point of contact = receptor site

Question 12

Receptor Site

Answer 12

Where neurotransmitters can bond to a dendrite

Question 13

Dopamine

Answer 13

Muscle inhibitor that provides a [slow down / stop] signal used in controlling movement

Question 14

Endorphins

Answer 14

Inhibitory signal fits same receptors as pain signal and blocks pain signal from getting into the brain

Question 15

Serotonin

Answer 15

Affects emotional arousal and sleep

• Good levels ( + ): improve thinking and perception of the world
• Low levels ( - ): linked to insomnia and depression

Question 16

Norepinephrin

Answer 16

Excitatory signal which creates general arousal of central nervous system

Question 17

Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Answer 17

GABA is an inhibitory signal that slows neural system, more relaxed, and less anxiety

Question 18

Acetylcholine (Ach)

Answer 18

Ach excitatory for some muscle groups and inhibitory for others

• Necessary for memory
• People with Alzheimer’s have less Ach and forget easily

Question 19

Nerve

Answer 19

When axons of many neurons run alongside each other

Question 20

Central Nervous System

Answer 20

Consists of the nerves of the brain and spinal cord

Question 21

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 21

Nerves running up to and out from the spinal cord

Question 22

[PNS] Somatic System

Answer 22

Carries sensory signals in and muscle signals out

Question 23

[PNS] Autonomic System

Answer 23

Carries signals to and from organs that maintain functions (like signals from heart to lungs)

Question 24

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

Answer 24

Scan records on paper of the electrical activity of active neurons

Question 25

Positronic Emissions Tomography (PET)

Answer 25

Scan for uptake of glucose containing a mild radioactive element the glucose that is picked up on the scan indicates an active neuron

Question 26

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer 26

Uses a magnetic field, exposes the brain to radio waves and records blood flow

Question 27

Computer Axial Tomography (CAT)

Answer 27

This uses multiple x-rays of the brain and computer combines the layers to generate a 3D images

Question 28

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 28

Upper brain lobes

Question 29

Middle Brain

Answer 29

Internal structures (thalamus and limbic system)

Question 30

Brainstem

Answer 30

Hindbrain, lower level structures

Question 31

Pons

Answer 31

Involved in sleeping, waking, and attentiveness

Question 32

Medulla

Answer 32

Involved in the signals for heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing — vitals

Question 33

Cerebellum

Answer 33

Controls learned coordination movement (like walking)

Question 34

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Answer 34

Important in sleep, arousal, and attention * Learns to respond to alert the mid-brain to the incoming signal * Thalamus in the mid-brain structure receiving the alert and relaying to appropriate areas of cortex

Question 35

Limbic System (LS)

Answer 35

Set of structures just under the cerebral cortex

Question 36

[LS] Hypothalamus

Answer 36

Regulates emotion and motivation (e.g. hunger)

Question 37

[LS] Amygdala

Answer 37

Evaluates signals for basic danger and activities "fight or flee"

Question 38

[LS] Hippocampus

Answer 38

Necessary to form new memories

Question 39

Cerebrum

Answer 39

The wrinkled, upper brain, with four lobes * Frontal lobe: contains motor cortex which signals for voluntary movement * Prefrontal lobe: for conscious thought, contains association for thinking, memory, and language * Parietal lobe:upper back of the cerebrum, processes body sensations (tells you where it is)

Question 40

Occipital Lobe

Answer 40

Processes visuals; must function in order to see

Question 41

Temporal Lobe (Tempo Lobe)

Answer 41

Processes sounds; must function to hear

Question 42

Broca's Area

Answer 42

For speech production

Question 43

Wernicke's Area

Answer 43

For language comprehension

Question 44

Aphasia

Answer 44

Condition of having difficulty of producing and/or comprehending language

Question 45

Corpus Callosum

Answer 45

Bundle of nerve fibers exchanging signals left to right, and vice versa in the brain

Question 46

Cross-over

Answer 46

Left brain connects and controls right body, right brain connects and controls left body * Left: logic * Right: visual-spatial

Question 47

Epilepsy

Answer 47

Uncontrolled electrical activity (spasms)

Question 48

Pituitary Gland

Answer 48

Secretes GH (human growth hormone)

Question 49

Adrenal Gland

Answer 49

Secretes cortical steroids

Question 50

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 50

Study of how adaptation and natural selection play into human behavior