The Neuron
The branching extensions of nerve cells that receive incoming signals from sensory receptors or from other neurons are called
dendrites
The _______ helps to increase the speed of neural impulses
myelin sheath
After suffering a traumatic fall, Mr. Sampson had significant difficulty making decisions. Based on this, which of the four lobes of the brain was most likely damaged
frontal lobe
The chemical messengers of the endocrine system are called
hormones
The activity of the hypothalamus most directly influences
thirst
The movement of positively charged ions across the membrane of a neuron produces a(n
action potential
Information is carried from the tissues of the body to the central nervous system by _______
sensory (or afferent) neurons
Information is most quickly transmitted from one cerebral hemisphere to the other by the
corpus callosum
In a moment of danger, the adrenal glands release
epinephrine
Recording electrodes are placed directly on the scalp to produce a(n):
EEG
The spatial junctions where impulses are chemically transmitted from one neuron to another are called
synapses
In order for you to be able to run, ______ neurons must relay messages from your central nervous system to your leg muscles.
motor (or efferent
Which technique involves the use of magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of the brain's soft tissues:
MRI
Which endocrine gland regulates body growth
pituitary
Your life would be most immediately threatened if you suffered destruction of the
medulla
A drug that inhibits the release or action of a particular neurotransmitter in the synaptic gap is called a(n)
antagonist
The ______ nervous system is the portion of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body (the voluntary muscles of the body)
somatic
The thalamus serves as a
sensory switchboard
The _____ glands are found in the neck and help regulate the general metabolic rate in the body
thyroid
Alana suffered a brain disease that destroyed major portions of her temporal lobes. She is most likely to suffer some loss of
auditory perception
True or False: Agonists mimic the effect of neurotransmitters, while antagonists block the effect of neurotransmitters
True
When Dirk was stung by a bee, the pain message was sent to his spinal cord by the ______ nervous system.
peripheral
Which region of the brain best distinguishes us from other animals
cerebral cortex
The release of fluid from the ______ glands into the bloodstream is most likely to: accelerate the heartbeat
adrenal
Direct stimulation of a part of the motor cortex would most likely result in
movement of a hand