central nervous system
consists of the brain and spinal cod
peripheral nervous system
made up of nerve cells that send messages between the central nervous system and all the parts of the body
neuron
nerve cells that run through our entire bodies and communicate with each other
cell body
produces energy that fuels the activity of the cell
dendrite
thin fibers that branch out from the cell body. These receive information from other neurons and pass the message through the cell body
axon
carries messages away from the cell, cells only have one of these.
myelin
many axons are covered with this, it is a white fatty substance that insulates and protects the axon, it also speeds up the transmission of the message
axon terminal
smaller fibers that branch out from the end of the axon
synapse
a junction between the axon terminals of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron
neurotransmitter
chemicals that are stored in sacs in the axon terminals
spinal cord
extends from the brain down the back. a column of nerves about as thick as a thumb, and it is protected bu the bones of the spine.
somatic nervous system
transmits sensory messages to the central nervous system
autonomic nervous system
regulates the body's vital functions, such as heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and blood pressure.
medulla
involved in vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing
pons
located in front of the medulla and is involved in regulating body movement, attention, sleep, and alertness
cerebellum
Latin word for "little brain." It looks like the larger part of the brain, under which it rests, but it is much smaller. It is involved in balance and coordination
reticular activating system
begins in the hindbrain and rises through the midbrain into the lower part of the forebrain. This system is important for attention, sleep, and arousal.
thalamus
Latin word meaning "inner chamber." It is a critical structure of the brain because it serves as a relay station for sensory stimulation.
hypothalamus
lies below the thalamus. It is very tiny, but it is extremely important because it is involved in many aspects of behavior and physiological functions.
limbic system
forms a fringe along the inner edge of the cerebrum. It is involved in learning and memory, emotion, hunger, sex, and aggression.
cerebrum
the crowning glory of the brain, it accounts for 70 percent of the weight of the brain
cerebral cortex
the surface of the cerebrum that is wrinkled with ridges and valleys. It is the outer layer of the brain
corpus callosum
the structure that connects the two hemispheres in the brain
association area
serve mainly to shape information into something meaningful on which we can act
endocrine system
consists of glands that secrete substances called hormones into the blood stream
hormones
stimulate growth and many kinds of reactions, such as changes in activity levels and moods
heredity
the transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring
gene
the basic building blocks of heredity
chromosome
genes are found in these threadlike structures which are composed of deoxyribonucleic acid
prefrontal cortex
This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making, and moderating social behavior. The basic activity of this brain region is considered to be orchestration of thoughts and actions in acc
amygdala
is an almond-shape set of neurons located deep in the brain's medial temporal lobe. Shown to play a key role in the processsing of emotions, forms part of the limbic system.