chapter 2 definitions

Question 1

central nervous system

Answer 1

Major division of nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord, which receives neural messages from and transmits neural messages to the peripheral nervous system

Question 2

Brain

Answer 2

Complex organ contained within the skull that coordinates mental processes and behaviour, and regulates bodily activity

Question 3

Spinal cord

Answer 3

Cable of nerve tissue extending from brain, connecting it to peripheral nervous system

Question 4

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 4

Major division of nervous system comprising every neuron in body outside the central nervous system

Question 5

Somatic nervous system

Answer 5

Division of peripheral nervous system that transmits neural messages related to voluntary motor movement

Question 6

Skeletal muscles

Answer 6

Muscles connected to skeleton that carry out voluntary motor movements

Question 7

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 7

Division of peripheral nervous system that regulates visceral muscles, organs, and glands, und transmits neural messages to the central nervous system about their activity

Question 8

Visceral muscles, organs, and glands

Answer 8

Muscles, organs, and glands not connected to skeleton that are predominantly self-regulating and do not require conscious control. E.g. Heart, lungs, etc.

Question 9

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 9

Division of autonomic nervous system that activates visceral muscles, organs and glands, preparing body to respond to a threat or stressor

Question 10

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 10

Division of autonomic nervous system that maintains optimal and balanced functioning of visceral muscles, organs, and glands

Question 11

Neuron

Answer 11

Nerve cell that receives and transmits neural information

Question 12

Motor neuron (efferent neuron)

Answer 12

Neurons that transmit neural messages about motor movement from central nervous system to peripheral nervous system

Question 13

Sensory neurons (efferent neurons)

Answer 13

Neurons that transmit neural messages about bodily sensations from peripheral nervous system to central nervous system

Question 14

Interneurons

Answer 14

Neurons that transfer neural messages between sensory neurons and motor neurons

Question 15

Conscious response

Answer 15

Deliberate and voluntary action that is initiated by brain and performed by the body

Question 16

Sensory receptor

Answer 16

Nerve ending that detects internal sensations in the body and external sensations from environment

Question 17

Unconscious response

Answer 17

Any response performed without conscious awareness

Question 18

Spinal reflex

Answer 18

Unconscious response to sensory stimuli initiated by interneurons in spinal cord independently of the brain

Question 19

Reflex arc

Answer 19

Path along which the neural signal is transmitted as part of spinal reflex

Question 20

Neural synapse

Answer 20

Region including axon terminals of presynaptic neuron, synaptic gap, and dendrites of the post synaptic neuron

Question 21

Pre synaptic neuron

Answer 21

Neuron that releases neurochemicals into the neural synapse

Question 22

Axon terminal

Answer 22

End of neuron that releases neurochemicals into neural synapse

Question 23

Synaptic gap

Answer 23

Space between presynaptic neuron and postsynaptic neuron

Question 24

Postsynaptic neuron

Answer 24

Neuron that receives neurochemicals from neural synapse

Question 25

Dendrite

Answer 25

Branched extension of neuron which receptor sites are located

Question 26

Receptor site

Answer 26

Protein molecule on dendrites of neuron that receives neurochemicals

Question 27

Neurochemicals

Answer 27

Chemical substance that transmits neural information within nervous system

Question 28

Synaptic transmission

Answer 28

Chemical conveyance of neural information between two neurons across neural synapse

Question 29

Neurotransmitter

Answer 29

Chemical molecule that has an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons

Question 30

Action potential

Answer 30

Electrical impulse that travels down the axon of a neuron

Question 31

Excitatory effect

Answer 31

When neurotransmitter increases likelihood of postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential

Question 32

Glutamate

Answer 32

Main excitatory neurotransmitter in nervous system

Question 33

Inhibitory effect

Answer 33

When neurotransmitter decreases likelihood of postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential

Question 34

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Answer 34

Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in nervous system

Question 35

Neuromodulator

Answer 35

Chemical molecule that has an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons

Question 36

Dopamine

Answer 36

Neuromodulator primarily responsible for voluntary motor movement, the experience of pleasure, and reward-based learning

Question 37

Serotonin

Answer 37

Neuromodulator primarily responsible for regulation of mood and sleep

Question 38

Synaptic plasticity

Answer 38

Ability of synaptic connectionsto change over time in response to activity or experience

Question 39

Sprouting

Answer 39

Ability of dendrites or axons to develop new extensions or branches

Question 40

Rerouting

Answer 40

Ability of neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternative synaptic connection with an undamaged neuron

Question 41

Pruning

Answer 41

Elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated

Question 42

Learning

Answer 42

Process of acquiring knowledge, skills, or behaviours through experience

Question 43

Memory

Answer 43

Process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information that has been previously encountered

Question 44

Long-term potentiation

Answer 44

Long-lasting and experience-dependent strengthening of synaptic connections that are regularly coactivated

Question 45

Long-term depression

Answer 45

Long-lasting and experience-dependent wakening of synaptic connections between neurons that are regularly coactivated