corpus callosum
a large set of axons connecting the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex and thus enabling the two hemispheres to communicate with each other.
dendrite
one of the widely branching structures of a neuron that receive transmissions from other neutrons.
dopamine
a neurotransmitter that promotes activity levels and facilitates movement. Low levels are involved in Parkinson's.
electroencephalograph (EEG)
a device the uses electrodes on the scalp to record rapid changes in brain electrical activity.
endocrine system
a set of glands that produce hormones and release them into the bloodstream.
epilepsy
a condition characterized by abnormal rhythmic activity of brain neurons.
frontal lobe
a portion of each cerebral hemisphere at the anterior pole, with sections that control movement and certain aspects of memory.
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
a technique that uses magnetic detectors outside the head to measure the amounts of hemoglobin, with and without oxygen, in different parts of the brain and thereby provides an indication of current activity levels in various brain areas.
glia
a cell of the nervous system that insulates neurons, removes waste materials (e.g., dead cells), and performs other supportive functions.
hemisphere
the left or right half of the brain; each hemisphere is responsible for sensation and motor control on the opposite side of the body.
hormone
a chemical released by glands and conveyed by the blood to other parts of the body, where it alters activity.
magnetoencephalography (MEG)
a device that records rapid magnetic changes during brain activity.
medulla
a structure that is located in the hindbrain and is an elaboration of the spinal cord; controls many muscles in the head and several life-preserving functions, such as breathing and heart rate.Damage to it can be life-threatening
neuron
a cell of the nervous system that receives information and transmits it to other cells by conducting electrochemical impulses.
neurotransmitter
a chemical that is stored in the terminal of an axon and that, when released, activates receptors of other neurons.
occipital lobe
the rear portion of each cerebral hemisphere, critical for vision.
parietal lobe
a portion of each cerebral hemisphere; the main receiving area for the sense of touch and for the awareness of one's own body and perception of location of the body in space.
Parkinson's disease
a condition that affects about 1% of people over the age of 50; the main symptoms are difficulty in initiating voluntary movement, slowness of movement, tremors, rigidity, and depressed mood.
peripheral nervous system
the bundles of axons that convey messages between the spinal cord and the rest of the body.
pons
a structure adjacent to the medulla that receives sensory input from the head and controls many muscles in the head, such as those to chew and swallow. It is also involved in sleep and relaxation.
positron-emission tomography (PET)
a technique that provides a high-resolution image of brain activity by recording radioactivity emitted from injected chemicals.
postsynaptic neuron
a neuron on the receiving end of a synapse.
prefrontal cortex
an area in the anterior portion of the frontal lobes, critical for planning movements and for certain aspects of memory.
primary motor cortex
an area in the posterior (rear) part of the frontal cortex that controls fine movements, such as hand and finger movements.
primary somatosensory cortex
a strip in the anterior (forward) part of the parietal lobe that receives most touch sensations and other information about the body.
reflex
a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus.
resting potential
electrical polarization that ordinarily occurs across the membrane of an axon that is not undergoing an action potential.
somatic nervous system
peripheral nerves that communicate with the skin and muscles.
spinal cord
that part of the central nervous system that communicates with sensory neurons and motor neurons below the level of the head.
stem cells
undifferentiated cells.
synapse
the specialized junction between one neuron and another; at this point one neuron releases a neurotransmitter, which either excites or inhibits the next neuron.
temporal lobe
a portion of each cerebral hemisphere; the main processing area for hearing, complex aspects of vision, and certain aspects of emotional behavior.
terminal bouton (or button)
a bulge at the end of an axon from which the axon releases a chemical called a neurotransmitter.
thalamus
a forebrain area that relays information to the cerebral cortex.
axon
transmits messages away from the cell body.
myelin sheath
a casing around the fatty substance that insulates and protects the neurons; also helps transmit messages faster.
cell body
produces energy that fuels neuronal activity.
axon terminals
small fibers that branch out at the end of the axon.
sodium
Anesthetic drugs such as Novocaine block the transmission of impulses in the brain by preventing ____ from crossing the membranes
cerebral cortex
the outer surface of the forebrain
cell bodies
The gray matter of the brain is composed mostly of
axons
The white matter of the brain is composed mostly of
cortical blindness
When a person has no conscious vision and no visual imagery
temporal
The amygdala is a brain structure that respond to facial expressions communicating emotion. It is found within the ____lobe
inactivity and sleepiness
What would happen to someone who had damage done to their reticular formation in the brain?
right
Jose has difficulty understanding the emotional content of speech and recognizing and understanding facial expressions. Jose most likely has had brain damage to his ____hemisphere.
language
In most people , the left hemisphere is specialized for control of _______
all-or-none-law
states an action potential is either sent or not sent
-70 mV
In a typical neuron, during the resting potential the inside of the axon has an electrical charge of around ___
potassium
During the action potential, just after the sodium ions enter the axon, and ______leaves, restoring the original charge
stops
If sodium is preventing from crossing the membrane of an axon than the neuron ____transmitting the action potential
negative
During the resting potential, an axon's interior has a ____charge relative to the outside of the cell