Neuron & Signals
This is the basic functional unit of the nervous system, a cell that transmits information.
What is a Neuron?
These are chemical messengers like dopamine or serotonin that cross the synapse.
What are Neurotransmitters?
This is the largest part of the brain, responsible for thinking, emotion, and sensory processing.
What is the Cerebrum?
This progressive disorder affects movement and is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons.
What is Parkinson's Disease?
If this part of the brain fails, you might lose the ability to breathe or keep your heart beating.
What is the Brainstem?
This is the long, tail-like projection that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body.
What is an Axon?
This is a clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, acting as a cushion.
What is Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)?
Located at the back of the brain, this part coordinates voluntary movements and balance.
What is the Cerebellum?
This is the most common cause of dementia, causing progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Without this, signals in your axon would travel very slowly, like driving on a road with no pavement.
What is Myelin?
These branched extensions receive signals from other neurons and carry them toward the cell body.
What are Dendrites?
This is an involuntary, nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus.
What is a Reflex?
This stalk-like structure connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls breathing and heart rate.
What is the Brainstem?
This autoimmune disease attacks the myelin sheath, disrupting communication between brain and body.
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
This process allows a stroke survivor to relearn how to walk by rewiring their brain.
What is Neuroplasticity?
This is the tiny gap between two neurons where chemical messengers are released.
What is a Synapse?
This is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
What is Neuroplasticity?
This long bundle of nerves runs down the back, transmitting signals between the brain and body.
What is the Spinal Cord?
This is a severe headache condition often accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity.
What is a Migraine?
This is the "gap" where the electrical signal turns into a chemical signal to cross to the next cell.
What is a Synapse?
This fatty substance forms a sheath around axons to insulate them and speed up signal transmission.
What is Myelin?
This condition involves an uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain causing convulsions or changes in consciousness.
What is a Seizure?
This is a medical condition where blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, causing cell death.
What is a Stroke?
This is a general term for damage or disease affecting the nerves, often causing numbness in hands/feet.
What is Neuropathy?
Damage to these "receivers" means the neuron cannot hear the message coming from the previous cell.
What are Dendrites?