Unit 3

Question 1

neuron

Answer 1

basic building block of the nervous system

Question 2

sensory neuron

Answer 2

afferent (input)

Question 3

motor neurons

Answer 3

efferent (output)

Question 4

interneurons

Answer 4

info between other neurons, ONLY in brain and spinal cord

Question 5

dendrite

Answer 5

the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receives messages and conducts impulses toward the cell body

Question 6

axon

Answer 6

the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages are sent to other neurons or glands

Question 7

myelin sheath

Answer 7

layers of fatty cells that encase the fibers of many neurons in segments / enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses

Question 8

action potential

Answer 8

brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Question 9

threshold

Answer 9

minimum stimulation necessary to produce an action potential

Question 10

synapse

Answer 10

Junction between the axon terminal of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

Question 11

neurotransmitters

Answer 11

chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons when released by the sending neurons, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether it will generate an action potential

Question 12

reuptake

Answer 12

excess neurotransmitters are sucked back up

Question 13

nervous system

Answer 13

the network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body

Question 14

central nervous system

Answer 14

Brain and Spinal Cord

Question 15

peripheral nervous system

Answer 15

the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord

Question 16

nerves

Answer 16

a whitish bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs

Question 17

somatic nervous system

Answer 17

voluntary nervous system

Question 18

autonomic nervous system

Answer 18

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. Mostly involuntary functions

Question 19

endorphins

Answer 19

Control Pain and pleasure, released in respond to pain

Question 20

sympathetic nervous system

Answer 20

arousal system. (Fear, flight / fight)

Question 21

Parasympathetic Nervous system

Answer 21

“calms” nervous system

Question 22

reflex

Answer 22

an action that is performed as a response to a stimulus and without conscious thought

Question 23

endocrine system

Answer 23

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

Question 24

adrenal glands

Answer 24

releases adrenaline (epinephrine)

Question 25

pituitary gland

Answer 25

“Master gland” in the brain - influences other glands

Question 26

behavior genetics

Answer 26

study of influence genetics and environment has on behavior

Question 27

chromosomes

Answer 27

a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying information in the form of genes

Question 28

genome

Answer 28

set of genes that is distinct for each organism

Question 29

molecular genetics

Answer 29

the branch of genetics concerned with the structure and activity of genetic material ar the molecular level

Question 30

evolutionary psychology

Answer 30

psychology philosophy that relies on evolution for answers in psychology

Question 31

natural selection

Answer 31

survival of the fittest and most adapted

Question 32

EEG

Answer 32

amplified recording of electrical brain activity waves

Question 33

CT (CAT)

Answer 33

series of photographs (slices) combined

Question 34

PET

Answer 34

detects where radioactive glucose forms when brain is performing tasks

Question 35

MRI

Answer 35

shows brain anatomy, uses radio waves and magnetic fields to form computer generated images

Question 36

Lesion

Answer 36

tissue destruction

Question 37

Brainstem

Answer 37

oldest part of the brain - responsible for automatic functions

Question 38

medulla

Answer 38

controls heartbeat and breathing

Question 39

Reticular Formation

Answer 39

controls arousal

Question 40

Thalamus

Answer 40

sensory switchboard. receives info from the senses and transmits them to the medulla and cerebellum

Question 41

cerebellum

Answer 41

(little brain) coordinates movement and balance

Question 42

limbic system

Answer 42

emotions and drives

Question 43

amygdala

Answer 43

linked to emotions

Question 44

hypothalamus

Answer 44

body maintenance (eating, drinking, and body temperature) and linked to emotions and rewards

Question 45

cerebral cortex

Answer 45

thin surface of interconnected neural cells; body’s ultimate control and information - processing center

Question 46

glial cells

Answer 46

cells in nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Question 47

frontal lobes

Answer 47

front part of the cerebral cortex, involved in speaking, muscle movements, and making plans and judgements

Question 48

parietal lobes

Answer 48

part of the cerebral cortex that is on the top and toward the back. receives sensory input for touch and body position

Question 49

occipital lobes

Answer 49

back part of the cerebral cortex. receives information from the visual fields

Question 50

temporal lobes

Answer 50

sides of the cerebral cortex. receives information from opposite ears

Question 51

motor cortex

Answer 51

area toward the back of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Question 52

sensory cortex

Answer 52

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

Question 53

association areas

Answer 53

areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

Question 54

aphasia

Answer 54

impairment of language, usually due to damage to Broca’s area or Wernicke’s area.

Question 55

Broca’s area

Answer 55

controls language expression, speaking

Question 56

Wernicke’s area

Answer 56

controls language reception, understanding

Question 57

Corpus Callosum

Answer 57

connects the two brain hemispheres and carries messages between them

Question 58

split brain

Answer 58

a conditions resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the corpus callosum connecting them

Question 59

plasticity

Answer 59

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

Question 60

neurogenesis

Answer 60

the formation of new neurons

Question 61

consciousness

Answer 61

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Question 62

cognitive neuroscience

Answer 62

the study of the brain activity linked with cognition

Question 63

dual processing

Answer 63

information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracts.

Question 64

GABA

Answer 64

most inhibitory neurotransmitter. too much glutamate and too little GABA results in epileptic seizures.

Question 65

Glutamate

Answer 65

too much glutamate and too little GABA results in epileptic seizures. Major excitatory neurotransmitter

Question 66

Seratonin

Answer 66

involved in sleep and depression.

Question 67

Noripnephrine

Answer 67

alertness and arousal. adrenaline. "fight or flight" neurotransmitter

Question 68

Dopamine

Answer 68

Involved in attention and learning. dopamine imbalance results in schizophrenia / parkinsons disease.

Question 69

endorphins

Answer 69

pain / pleasure neuro transmitter. releaesed in response to pain / exertion.

Question 70

acetylcholine

Answer 70

involved in learning and muscle contraction and usage. is found in all motor neurons

Question 71

agonists...

Answer 71

mimic neurotransmitters

Question 72

antagonists.

Answer 72

block neurotransmitters

Question 73

the central nervous system is...

Answer 73

the brain and the spine

Question 74

older brain structures include...

Answer 74

hypothalamus pituitary gland amygdala hippocampus

Question 75

The broca's area...

Answer 75

controls the output of language

Question 76

the angular gyrus...

Answer 76

converts visual meaning to pheonetic readin. (reading outloud)