Vocabulary
What is a brain cell?
A neuron
Also abbreviated the PFC
Prefrontal Cortex
Thread-like fibers
Axons
Where is the prefrontal cortex located?
Behind the forehead.
What does the AAP stand for?
The American Academy of Pediatrics.
Someone who studies the brain.
A neurologist
Another name for the frontal lobe
Prefrontal cortext
Branch-like fibers
Dendrites
What part of the brain matures earlier in teens, before the prefrontal cortex?
The limbic system
What is the central hub of social circuitry?
The prefrontal cortex.
Chemical messengers in the brain
Neurotransmitters
In charge of the emotional responses in the brain
Limbic system
Carry information into the neuron
Dendrites
How long does it take before the prefrontal cortex is fully developed?
Into the early/mid 20's
A form of social interaction, such as body language, that cannot be practiced online.
Non-Verbal Cues.
What is an electrical and chemical signal that gets passed between neurons?
A neural impulse
The process in which axons and dendrites become wrapped in fatty myelin sheath
Myelination
Take electrochemical impulse away from the cell body
Axons
What kind of machine can take a picture of the prefrontal cortex?
An MRI machine.
Something teens are doing more frequently in this generation as a result of technology, which results in a lower attention span, and all the chosen tasks having a lower quality. Example: Texting and driving.
Multi-tasking
What are bundles of elongated, myelin-insulated neurons that collectively connect different regions of the brain?
Brain pathways
The process of cutting back on the number of synapses
Synaptic Pruning
The small space between axons and dendrites where neurons exchange information
Synapse
A teen's prefrontal cortex can be compared to this material, which means it's still changing.
Plastic
A neurotransmitter found in the limbic system, which is a "feel good" chemical.
Dopamine