Final

Question 1

cell body containing the nucleus, filled with cytoplasm containing special structures such as mitochondria

Answer 1

soma

Question 2

branch-like structure attached to the soma that receives information from the terminal buttons of other neurons

Answer 2

dendrites

Question 3

long thin tube transferring information from the soma to the terminal buttons

Answer 3

axon

Question 4

knob-like structure at the end of a neuron containing neurotransmitters (that are held in beadlike structures called synaptic vesicles)

Answer 4

terminal buttons

Question 5

covering over the axon to insulate and increase efficiency and accuracy of message transmission

Answer 5

myelin sheath

Question 6

the brief electrical impulse that causes a rapid reversal of the membrane potential

Answer 6

action potential

Question 7

a drug that facilitates the effects of a neurotransmitter on a postsynaptic cell

Answer 7

agonist

Question 8

a drug that blocks or inhibits the effects of a neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell

Answer 8

antagonist

Question 9

balance of diffusion and electrostatic pressure

Answer 9

membrane potential

Question 10

junction between the terminal button of one neuron and the membrane of another

Answer 10

synapse

Question 11

outermost layer of gray matter covering the brain; place of voluntary action, learning, interpretation

Answer 11

cerebral cortex

Question 12

higher order thinking, planning, judgement, impulse control, motor movement

Answer 12

frontal lobe

Question 13

auditory sensation and speech

Answer 13

temporal lobe

Question 14

associated with emotional functioning and memory

Answer 14

limbic system

Question 15

memory

Answer 15

hippocampus

Question 16

emotions, especially fear and aggression

Answer 16

amygdala

Question 17

motor system involvement, control of movement

Answer 17

basal ganglia

Question 18

projects sensory information to specific regions of the cerebral cortex and receives information back

Answer 18

thalamus

Question 19

a group of cell bodies within the LGN of the thalamus; receives inputs from the retina and projects to the primary visual cortex

Answer 19

dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

Question 20

key role in inducing sleep; activity of these neurons causes inhibition of areas in the brain responsible for cortical activity and arousal

Answer 20

ventrolateral preoptic area (vlPOA)

Question 21

critical for female sexual behavior

Answer 21

ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH)

Question 22

area of the brain involved in formulating plans and strategies; regulation of emotions; plays role in moral judgement and decision making

Answer 22

prefrontal cortex

Question 23

sensory interpretation and integration

Answer 23

parietal lobe

Question 24

visual sensation and processing

Answer 24

occipital lobe

Question 25

arousal (waking, sleeping) and filtering incoming sensory input (to discriminate the irrelevant)

Answer 25

reticular formation

Question 26

regulation and coordination of movement, posture, and balance

Answer 26

cerebellum

Question 27

regulation of the autonomic nervous system and survival behaviors (hunger, thirst, sexual response)

Answer 27

hypothalamus

Question 28

maintaining vital functions such as breathing and heart rate

Answer 28

medulla

Question 29

a large bundle of axons that interconnects corresponding regions of the association cortex on each side of the brain

Answer 29

corpus callosum

Question 30

critical for male sexual behavior; critical for parenting behavior

Answer 30

medial preoptic area (MPA)

Question 31

associated with muscular movement, increases cortical activity, facilitates REM sleep, learning, and formation of memories

Answer 31

acetylcholine

Question 32

associated with movement, attention, learning, reinforcing effects of abused drugs

Answer 32

dopamine

Question 33

associated with an increase in vigilance and attentiveness; promotes arousal; plays a role in controlling REM sleep

Answer 33

norepinephrine

Question 34

associated with regulation of mood; control of eating, sleeping, and arousal; regulation of pain; decreased aggression; increases cortical activity and locomotion

Answer 34

serotonin

Question 35

an amino acid that is the principle excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord

Answer 35

glutamate

Question 36

an amino acid that is the key inhibitory neurotransmitter to keep the brain stable

Answer 36

GABA

Question 37

an amino acid that is the key inhibitory neurotransmitter in the lower brain and spinal cord

Answer 37

glycine

Question 38

promotes wakefulness

Answer 38

histamine

Question 39

associated with pair bonding to mates and offspring; released in response to meaningful touch, sexual intercourse, onset of labor, and nursing; associated with increased levels of trust

Answer 39

oxytocin

Question 40

excitatory, promotes wakefulness; active during wakefulness, inactive during sleep

Answer 40

orexin

Question 41

a chemical in the brain that builds and maintains cell circuitry as well as increasing the ability for LTP; improves signal strength between neurons; activates genes that increase production of serotonin, proteins to build synapse, and BDNF itself; strengthens growth of neurons and protects against factors leading to cell death

Answer 41

BDNF

Question 42

a neuromodulator that is produced as the result of metabolism of glycogen (which is the brains fuel)

Answer 42

adenosine

Question 43

associated with pair bonding to mates and offspring

Answer 43

vasopressin

Question 44

a peptide hormone released in the stomach when it is empty that is an important hunger signal; increases eating behavior

Answer 44

ghrelin

Question 45

provides long-term regulation of body fat by acting as an anti-obesity hormone; normally secreted by well-nourished fat cells; increases metabolic rate; increases activity level; decreases eating behavior

Answer 45

leptin