Brain Basics
What is the brain?
The brain is the control center of the body. It helps us think, move, and feel.
What is a neuron?
A neuron is a brain and nerve cell that sends and receives messages.
Which gender usually has a larger brain size overall?
Men
What is the endocrine system?
A system of glands that sends hormones through the blood.
What is an EEG (Electroencephalogram)?
A test that records brain activity with sensors on your head. This technique records electrical activity in the brain using sensors placed on the scalp.
What is the biological clock ?
the mechanism responsible for the timing of the sleep/wake-fulness cycle and the daily fluctuation
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemicals that carry messages between neurons.
Which gender is more likely to use both hemispheres for language?
Women
What is a hormone?
A hormone is a chemical that travels through your blood and tells parts of your body what to do (like grow, feel tired, or get ready for stress
What is an MRI?
This machine takes pictures inside your brain using magnets and radio waves.
What are the two halves of the brain called?
The left hemisphere and the right hemisphere.
What is a synapse?
A tiny gap between two neurons where messages pass.
the difference between grey and white matter
What is a gland?
A gland is a body part that makes and releases hormones.
True or False: The nervous system sends messages only to the brain, not to the muscles.
False
What part of the brain helps you stay balanced and coordinate movement?
The cerebellum.
What happens if neurotransmitters don’t work right?
It can affect mood, memory, and behavior (e.g., depression, anxiety, or memory problems).
Men’s brains have a higher proportion of which type of matter compared to women’s brains?
White matter
Why do hormones work slower than nerves?
Hormones travel through the blood, which takes more time. Nerve signals move faster because they travel like electricity.
What is biopsychology?
The study of how the brain and nervous system relate to behavior and mental processes.
What are the four main lobes of the brain?
Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.
What are the 3 main parts of a neuron?
Dendrites – receive messages
Cell body – keeps the cell alive
Axon – sends messages to other cells
Vocabulary and general knowledge-usually stay strong as you age
True
How do the nervous system and endocrine system work together during stress?
The brain signals the adrenal glands to release hormones like adrenaline to help the body respond quickly in a “fight or flight” situation.
What is one limitation of brain imaging techniques?
They show brain activity but don’t always explain why behavior happens.