Unit 3: Part 1

Question 1

Neuron

Answer 1

a nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system

Question 2

Cell body

Answer 2

The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, the cell’s life support

Question 3

Dendrites

Answer 3

Bushy, branching extensions that receive and integrate messages that conduct impulses toward the cell body

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons, muscles, or glands

Question 5

Myelin sheath

Answer 5

The fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; increases transmission speed and provides insulation

Question 6

Glial cells

Answer 6

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons: also plays a role in learning, thinking, and memory

Question 7

Action potential

Answer 7

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Question 8

Threshold

Answer 8

The level of simulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Question 9

Refractory period

Answer 9

A brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron is fired

Question 10

All-or-none response

Answer 10

A neuron’s reaction of either firing or not firing

Question 11

Synapse

Answer 11

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

Question 12

Reuptake

Answer 12

A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Question 13

Endorphins

Answer 13

Meaning “morphine within”

Question 14

Agonist

Answer 14

Exciting neuron firing

Question 15

Antagonist

Answer 15

Inhibiting neuron firing

Question 16

Nervous system

Answer 16

The body’s speedy electrochemical communication network consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and CNS(central nervous system) system

Question 17

Central nervous system

Answer 17

Made up of the brain and spinal cord

Question 18

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 18

Made up of sensory and motor neurons

Question 19

Nerves

Answer 19

Bundled axons of many neurons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

Question 20

Sensory (afferent) neurons

Answer 20

Carry information from the sense organs to the CNS

Question 21

Motor (efferent) neurons

Answer 21

Carry messages from the CNS to the muscles and glands

Question 22

Interneurons

Answer 22

they process information between the sensory inputs and motor output

Question 23

Somatic nervous system

Answer 23

Part of the PNS that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

Question 24

Automatic nervous system

Answer 24

Controls the glands and muscles of internal organs

Question 25

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 25

Arouses the body, mobilizing it’s energy

Question 26

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 26

Calms the body, conserving it’s energy

Question 27

Reflex

Answer 27

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulation

Question 28

Endocrine system

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Hormones

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Adrenal glands

Answer 30

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones(adrenaline) that help arouse the body in times of stress (fight or flight)

Question 31

Pituitary gland

Answer 31

The endocrine systems most influential gland under the influence of hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Question 32

Lesion

Answer 32

Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Question 33

EEG (electroencephalogram)

Answer 33

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

Question 34

MEG (mangetoencencephalopgraphy)

Answer 34

A brain imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brains natural electrical activity

Question 35

CT (computed tomography) scan

Answer 35

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 (also called at CAT scan)

Question 36

PET (position emission tomography) scan

Answer 36

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

Question 37

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Answer 37

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

Question 38

fMRI (functional MRI)

Answer 38

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