Nervous System(s)
This nervous system consists in the brain and the spinal cord
Central nervous system
This brain part connects the left and right hemispheres.
corpus callosum
This type of neuron receives information from the external world and sends it in toward the spinal cord and brain.
sensory neuron
Often confused with serotonin, this "pleasure chemical" is how your brain rewards you for scrolling.
dopamine
This "air traffic control" center relays information from brain stem to cerebral cortex (and back)
Thalamus
soma
This nervous system activates when fight-or-flight kicks in.
ethical guidelines
This brain part regulates the pituitary gland and is important for sexual arousal, sleep and body temperature.
Hypothalamus
This is the process in which a nerve cell's charge switches from negative to positive.
depolarization
This is the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter.
GABA
This "active" system contains the brain's "reward center" and is responsible for some movement, learning and cognition.
reticular activating system
These behavior-affecting chemicals are slow-acting and travel by bloodstream throughout the body
hormones
When a reflex arc activates, a motor signal is sent out from this part of the nervous system
spinal cord
This lobe processes auditory information.
temporal lobe
During this brief period of time, a neuron cannot "fire".
refractory period
This class of neurotransmitter makes it more likely that a neuron will fire.
excitatory
This lobe contains the somatosensory cortex
parietal lobe
These "natural opiates" are emitted by neurons and help block pain
endorphins (neurotransmitters)
This system is sometimes called the "skeletal nervous system"
somatic nervous system
Located at the back of the brain, this lobe processes visual information.
occipital lobe
This disorder is caused by damage to receptors for the neurotransmitter ACh.
myasthenia gravis (MG)
This neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in the perception of pain.
Substance P
The right part of this cortex controls movements on the left side of the body.
motor cortex
This brain scan technique measures blood flow in order to see how the brain is functioning in real-time
fMRI (functional MRI)
This system helps us "rest and digest" after a stressful day
parasympathetic nervous system
This funky-named part of the brainstem is responsible for regulating heart rate and breathing.
medulla oblongata
Made of glial cells, this coating protects the axon.
myelin sheath
This neurotransmitter helps you carry out voluntary movements. A lack of it is correlated with Alzheimer's disease.
ACh (acetylcholine)
This part of the endocrine system is located in the brain and is controlled by the hypothalamus
pituitary gland
This brain scan technique tracks a radioactive form of glucose in order to detect which brain areas are most active during specific tasks
PET (positron emission tomography)