Modules 10-12 Vocab

Question 1

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

Answer 1

Nervous System

Question 2

The brain and spinal cord

Answer 2

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Question 4

Bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

Answer 4

Nerves

Question 5

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

Answer 5

Sensory (afferent) neurons

Question 6

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Answer 6

Motor (efferent) neurons

Question 7

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Answer 7

Interneurons

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Somatic Nervous System (Skeletal Nervous System)

Question 9

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. Sympathetic division-arouses; Parasympathetic division- calms

Answer 9

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Sympathetic Nervous System

Question 11

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

Answer 11

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Question 12

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

Answer 12

Reflex

Question 13

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Answer 13

Endocrine System

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Hormones

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Adrenal Glands

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Pituitary Gland

Question 17

Tissue destruction. In the brain it is naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Answer 17

Lesion

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 19

A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure

Answer 19

CT (computed tomography) Scan

Question 20

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

Answer 20

PET (positron emission tomography) Scan

Question 21

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue, shows brain anatomy

Answer 21

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Question 22

A technique for revealing blood-flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. These scans show brain function as well as its structure

Answer 22

fMRI (functional MRI)

Question 23

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

Answer 23

Brainstem

Question 24

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Answer 24

Medulla

Question 25

The brain's sensory control center; located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Answer 25

Thalamus

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Reticular Formation

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Cerebellum

Question 28

Neural system (includes hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

Answer 28

Limbic system

Question 29

Two lima-bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

Answer 29

Amygdala

Question 30

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temp), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

Answer 30

Hypothalamus

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Cerebral Cortex

Question 32

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking

Answer 32

Glial Cells

Question 33

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

Answer 33

Frontal Lobe

Question 34

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

Answer 34

Parietal Lobe

Question 35

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from visual fields

Answer 35

Occipital Lobe

Question 36

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

Answer 36

Temporal Lobe

Question 37

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that control voluntary movements

Answer 37

Motor Cortex

Question 38

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

Answer 38

Somatosensory Cortex

Question 39

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

Answer 39

Association Areas

Question 40

The brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Answer 40

Plasticity

Question 41

The formation of new neurons

Answer 41

Neurogenesis

Question 42

Brain's oldest system to newest in order

Answer 42

Brainstem - Thalamus -Reticular Formation- Cerebellum - Limbic System (Amygdala and Hypothalamus)