NEURON & BRAIN STRUCTURE

Question 1

Refractory Period

Answer 1

The short time after a neuron fires before it can fire again; like a rest period

Question 2

Synapse

Answer 2

The junction between two neurons where the axon terminal of one neuron meets with the dendrite or cell body of another; its where neurotransmitters are released to transmit between neurons

Question 3

Resting Potential

Answer 3

The neurons stable negative charge when its inactive; baseline state; ready to fire when it receives enough stimulation like positively charged ions

Question 4

Action Potential

Answer 4

The signal that travels down the axon and its how neurons communicate; starts with depolarization and moves along the axon to pass info to the next neuron or target

Question 5

Node of Ranvier

Answer 5

A gap in the mylinen sheath that allows action potential to jump from one node to the next which speeds up signal transmutation along axon

Question 6

Mylenin Sheath

Answer 6

A fatty layer that wraps around axon of neurons; speeds electrical signals around axon

Question 7

Glia Cells

Answer 7

Support cells that maintain environment around neurons by providing nutrients, removing waste, and helping with insulation

Question 8

Dendrites

Answer 8

The branch-like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and gather info and send to cell body

Question 9

Sodium Ion

Answer 9

A Positively charged particle when a sodium atom loses an electron. In a neuron, they are a key role in acting potentials

Question 10

Post Synaptic Neuron

Answer 10

The neuron that receives the signal after it crosses synapse; it has receptors and either processes the signal or responds accordingly

Question 11

Axon terminal

Answer 11

The endpoint of an axon where the neuron communicates with/ other neurons by releasing neurotransmitters

Question 12

Antagonist

Answer 12

Substance that binds to a receptor and blocks+dampens action of a naturally occurring substance and prevents or reduces effect that would have occurred

Question 13

Agonist

Answer 13

Substance that binds to a receptor and activates it; triggers a response

Question 14

Endorphines

Answer 14

Neurotransmitters that work as natural painn killers and mood boosters; helps reduce pain+ establishes sense of well being

Question 15

Re-Uptake

Answer 15

The process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by neuron that releases them; stopping their action and recycling them for future use

Question 16

Acetylcholine

Answer 16

A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in muscle movement and functions like memory+attention; transmits signals from nerves to muscles

Question 17

Neurotransmitter

Answer 17

Chemical messenger that carries signals between neurons or neurons to other cells

Question 18

Axon

Answer 18

The long slender part of a neuron that carries electrical signals away from the cell bodies to other neurons

Question 19

Soma

Answer 19

The central part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; it keeps cell functioning properly

Question 20

Threshold of Excitation

Answer 20

The level of depolarization a neuron must reach to fire; once this level is reached it sends a signal down to its axon, then fires

Question 21

Depolarization

Answer 21

When a neurons membrane potential becomes less negative which makes it more likely to fire; happens when positively charged ions enter the neuron

Question 22

All or None Law

Answer 22

The all-or-none law refers to the principle that a neuron either fires an action potential completely or does not fire at all.

Question 23

Neuron

Answer 23

A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system responsible for transmitting information. It acts as the basic building block of communication in the brain

Question 24

Inhibitory Messages

Answer 24

Inhibitory messages are signals that reduce the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential. These messages are transmitted through inhibitory neurotransmitters

Question 25

Excitatory Messages

Answer 25

Excitatory messages are signals that increase the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential. These messages are transmitted through excitatory neurotransmitters

Question 26

Vesticles

Answer 26

Vesicles in the context of neurons are small, membrane-bound sacs found in the axon terminals. They play a crucial role in neurotransmission by storing and releasing neurotransmitters

Question 27

Medulla

Answer 27

A critical structure located at the base of the brainstem, just above the spinal cord. It plays an essential role in regulating many of the body's most vital and automatic functions. Example : When your eating, Medulla tells you to swallow

Question 28

Pons

Answer 28

The pons is essential for coordinating many automatic and voluntary processes. Damage to the pons can lead to issues like sleep disturbances, difficulty in breathing, or problems with balance and movement.

Question 29

Cerebellum

Answer 29

The cerebellum is vital for everyday tasks requiring coordination and balance. Example : Riding a bike

Question 30

Thalamus

Answer 30

The thalamus is essential for organizing sensory information and ensuring it reaches the correct areas of the brain. Damage to the thalamus can lead to sensory impairments, motor difficulties, or problems with alertness, attention, and memory. Example : Waking up when you hear your alarm

Question 31

Hypothalmus

Answer 31

The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining the body’s internal balance. It regulates critical physiological processes and behaviors to keep the body functioning optimally. Example : When your full, the hypothalamus prevents overeating

Question 32

Hippocampus

Answer 32

Involves emotion, learning, and memory. It plays an essential role in processing and organizing information for storage and retrieval. Example : Studying for a test

Question 33

Amygdala

Answer 33

The amygdala is crucial for helping us navigate emotional and social aspects of life, ensuring we respond appropriately to threats, rewards, and interactions. Example : Emotions when thinking about a memory (MW)

Question 34

Corpus Callosum

Answer 34

It serves as a communication bridge, allowing the two hemispheres to share information and coordinate their activities. Example : Reading and writing

Question 35

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 35

It is responsible for many of the brain's most complex functions, such as thought, perception, memory, language, and decision-making. Driving a Car: The motor cortex guides your movements, the parietal lobe helps you distinguish distances, and the frontal lobe handles decision-making.

Question 36

What are the four parts in the Cerebral Cortex and what are they responsible for ?

Answer 36

Frontal Lobe: Decision-making, problem-solving, movement, and personality. Parietal Lobe: Sensory processing, spatial orientation, and body awareness. Temporal Lobe: Hearing, memory, and language comprehension. Occipital Lobe: Vision and visual processing.

Question 37

Primary Motor Cortex

Answer 37

The primary motor cortex is essential for all voluntary movements, from the smallest gestures to complex physical actions, and its precise control is what allows humans to perform fine and coordinated tasks. Example : Playing an instrument

Question 38

Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Answer 38

It is responsible for processing sensory information from the body, including touch, pressure, temperature, pain, and body position Example : Touching a hot surface

Question 39

Broca's Area

Answer 39

It is primarily responsible for speech production and plays a critical role in language processing and motor control for speaking. Example : Speaking (Bocas Area organizes the words then sends a signal to articulate them)

Question 40

Wernicke's Area

Answer 40

It is primarily responsible for language comprehension and plays a critical role in understanding spoken and written language. Example : Listening to a conversation (When someone says, “Let’s go to the park,” Wernicke’s area processes the sounds, interprets the words, and extracts their meaning.)

Question 41

Reticular Formation

Answer 41

The reticular formation is essential for keeping you alert, helping you respond to your environment, and maintaining basic life functions. Example : Waking up (The reticular formation activates your brain when your alarm goes off, helping you transition from sleep to wakefulness.)