Neural Firing and Transmission
What is the brief electrical charge that travels down the axon?
Action Potential
Which neurotransmitter is involved in reward and motivation?
Dopamine
What are substances that alter brain activity and behavior called?
Psychoactive drugs
What part of the brain controls breathing and heart rate?
Medulla
What part of the brain helps coordinate balance and fine motor movement, like riding a bike?
Cerebellum
What principle states that a neuron either fires completely or not at all?
All-or-nothing principle
Which inhibitory neurotransmitter calms the nervous system?
GABA
What type of drug speeds up body functions and increases alertness?
Stimulants
Which part of the brain helps form new memories?
Hippocampus
What part of the brain regulates basic drives such as hunger, thirst, and body temperature?
Hypothalamus
What is the resting potential of a neuron?
The state when it’s ready to fire but not yet active
What neurotransmitter regulates mood and sleep?
Serotonin
What is an agonist?
A drug that mimics or enhances neurotransmitter activity
Damage to which area causes difficulty speaking but not understanding?
Broca’s Area
Which gland is known as the “master gland” because it controls hormone release?
Pituitary gland
What happens during depolarization?
The neuron’s charge becomes less negative, leading to firing
Which hormone regulates hunger and fat storage?
Leptin
What kind of drug slows down neural activity and body functions?
Depressants
What connects the two hemispheres of the brain?
Corpus callosum
What part of the brain processes emotions like fear and aggression?
Amygdala
What is the refractory period?
The time after firing when a neuron must reset before firing again
What hormone influences bonding and social behavior?
Oxytocin
What happens during tolerance?
The brain adapts, requiring more of the drug for the same effect
Which brain structure acts as the brain’s “relay station,” sending sensory information to the correct areas?
Thalamus
What kind of study involves intentional or natural damage to brain tissue?
Lesion study