Brain Scans
This brain scan uses X-rays to create a detailed image of brain structure.
What is a CAT scan?
These branch-like structures receive messages from other neurons.
What are dendrites?
This neurotransmitter is associated with pleasure and movement and is linked to Parkinson’s disease.
What is dopamine?
This is the electrical charge that travels down the axon during communication.
What is an action potential?
This part of the nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord.
What is the central nervous system?
This part of the brain controls balance and coordination.
What is the cerebellum?
This lobe is responsible for higher-level thinking and decision-making
What is the frontal lobe?
This gland is known as the "master gland" because it regulates other glands.
What is the pituitary gland?
This scan measures electrical activity in the brain and is often used in sleep studies.
What is an EEG?
This protective covering speeds up neural impulses.
What is the myelin sheath?
This neurotransmitter is involved in memory and muscle movement and is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
What is acetylcholine?
This principle states that a neuron either fires completely or not at all.
What is the all-or-none principle?
This system controls involuntary bodily functions like digestion and heartbeat.
What is the autonomic nervous system?
This structure relays sensory information to the appropriate brain areas.
What is the thalamus?
This lobe processes touch, pain, and temperature sensations.
What is the parietal lobe?
This hormone, produced by the pancreas, regulates blood sugar levels.
What is insulin?
This type of scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed brain images.
What is an MRI?
This part of the neuron contains the nucleus and keeps the cell functioning.
What is the cell body (soma)?
This neurotransmitter is the brain’s natural painkiller.
What are endorphins?
This is the minimum level of stimulation needed for a neuron to fire.
What is the threshold of excitation?
This system prepares the body for a "fight or flight" response.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
This structure regulates hunger, thirst, and body temperature.
What is the hypothalamus?
This lobe processes auditory information.
What is the temporal lobe?
This gland produces the stress hormone cortisol.
What is the adrenal gland?
This scan tracks blood flow in the brain by measuring changes in oxygen levels.
What is an fMRI?
These small structures at the end of the axon release neurotransmitters.
What are axon terminal buttons?
This excitatory neurotransmitter plays a role in learning but can cause migraines if overactive.
What is glutamate?
This period occurs after a neuron fires and cannot fire again immediately.
What is the refractory period?
These neurons carry information from the senses to the brain.
What are sensory (afferent) neurons?
This part of the brain connects the two hemispheres.
What is the corpus callosum?
This lobe contains the primary visual cortex.
What is the occipital lobe?
This hormone helps regulate sleep cycles.
What is melatonin?
This scan involves injecting a radioactive tracer to show brain activity in real time.
What is a PET scan?
This tiny gap between neurons is where neurotransmitters travel.
What is the synapse?
This inhibitory neurotransmitter helps calm the nervous system and is linked to anxiety disorders.
What is GABA?
When a neuron is not actively firing, it is in this state.
What is resting potential?
This system helps the body return to a calm state after a stress response.
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
This brain structure is essential for forming new memories.
What is the hippocampus?
The motor cortex, responsible for voluntary movement, is located in this lobe.
What is the frontal lobe?
This brain structure connects the nervous system and the endocrine system.
What is the hypothalamus?