Nature vs. Nurture
Mystery Question!
What is Spain, or Portugal?
Composed strictly of the brain and spinal cord, this primary division of the nervous system coordinates body decisions and functions.
What is the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
The branching extensions of a neuron that receive incoming chemical signals from neighboring cells and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
What are Dendrites?
The microscopic space separating the axon terminal of a sending neuron from the dendrite or cell body of a receiving neuron.
What is the Synapse (or Synaptic Gap)?
This primary excitatory neurotransmitter facilitates motor control and memory; its deterioration is linked to Alzheimer's disease.
What is Acetylcholine (ACh)?
This term describes the extent to which variation among individuals in a group can be attributed to their differing genes rather than their environment.
What is Heritability?
This division connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body via sensory and motor neurons.
What is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
The single, lengthy extension of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body toward other neurons or muscles.
What is the Axon?
Chemical messengers released into the synaptic cleft that cross the gap to bind with specific receptor sites on the receiving neuron.
What are Neurotransmitters?
A neurotransmitter regulating movement, learning, attention, and pleasure; excess levels are linked to schizophrenia, while shortages cause Parkinson's.
What is Dopamine?
Unlike classic genetics, this field studies the molecular mechanisms by which environments can trigger or block gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence.
What is Epigenetics?
This branch of the peripheral nervous system controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.
What is the Somatic Nervous System?
This fatty layer of tissue insulates the axon and significantly accelerates the speed of neural impulse transmission.
What is the Myelin Sheath?
The electrical charge state of an inactive neuron membrane, typically measured at approximately -70 millivolts inside relative to outside.
What is Resting Potential?
This neurotransmitter regulates mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal; low levels are commonly targeted by SSRI antidepressant medications.
What is Serotonin?
What are twin studies?
This automatic division of the PNS regulates internal glands and smooth muscles, functioning largely outside of conscious awareness.
What is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
Specialized structures at the end of axon branches containing synaptic vesicles that store and release chemical messengers into the synaptic gap.
What are Terminal Buttons (Axon Terminals)?
This law states that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all; increasing stimulus strength above threshold does not increase impulse size or speed.
What is the All-or-None Principle (or Law)?
A type of psychoactive drug or chemical molecule that binds to a receptor site and mimics or enhances the action of a neurotransmitter.
What is an Agonist?
This evolutionary principle explains how inherited traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on to future generations.
What is Natural Selection?
Activated during perceived threats, this branch of the autonomic system triggers the "fight-or-flight" response by accelerating heart rate and dilating pupils.
What is the Sympathetic Nervous System?
An autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and degrades the myelin sheath, causing disrupted neural communication and motor loss.
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
The brief pause after a neuron fires during which sodium-potassium pumps reset ions across the membrane, preventing immediate re-firing.
What is the Refractory Period?
A type of drug or chemical that binds to a receptor site and blocks or inhibits the natural action of a neurotransmitter.
What is an Antagonist?
What is eugenics?
Responsible for "rest and digest" states, this branch calms the body down after a stressor passes, lowering heart rate and stimulating digestion.
What is the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
he dynamic state of internal physiological balance (e.g., body temperature, heart rate) that the parasympathetic nervous system works to restore.
What is Homeostasis?
he brief electrical impulse that travels down an axon when positive sodium ions rush inward through voltage-gated channels.
What is an Action Potential?
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that calms neural activity; undersupply is linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia.
What is GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)?
Mystery Questions!
What is neuroplasticity?
These neurons carry outgoing signals away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands to execute actions.
What are Motor (Efferent) Neurons?
Naturally occurring neuropeptides that act as the body's internal pain relievers and mood elevators, released during intense exercise or injury.
What are Endorphins?
This mechanism reabsorbs excess neurotransmitters back into the presynaptic sending neuron after signaling is complete.
What is Reuptake?
This hormone is responsible for encouraging feels of love and trust.
What is oxytocin?