The Neuron
This part of the neuron contains the nucleus and makes neurotransmitters.
What is the cell body (soma)?
The CNS is made of these two main structures.
What are the brain and spinal cord?
The PNS carries information into and out of this system.
What is the central nervous system?
A rapid temporary shift in membrane potential used to send signals.
What is an action potential?
These neurons send signals to muscles causing contraction.
What are motor neurons?
These chemical messengers carry signals between neurons.
What are neurotransmitters?
This structure connects the right and left hemispheres.
What is the corpus callosum?
These neurons carry information toward the CNS.
What are afferent neurons?
This lobe is responsible for vision and visual processing.
What is the occipital lobe?
These ions enter the synaptic terminal after an action potential, triggering neurotransmitter release.
What are calcium ions (Ca2+)?
The junction between one neuron and another cell.
What is a synapse?
This lobe helps with speech, planning, and skeletal muscle control.
What is the frontal lobe?
This division controls involuntary organs and glands.
What is the autonomic nervous system?
These neurons analyze and interpret information.
What are interneurons?
During depolarization, these ions rush into the neuron.
What are sodium ions (Na+)?
The cone-shaped base of the axon where action potentials begin.
What is the axon hillock?
This structure regulates body temperature, biological clock, and endocrine control.
What is the hypothalamus?
This autonomic division promotes rest-and-digest functions.
What is the parasympathetic division?
This hindbrain structure helps coordinate balance and movement.
What is the cerebellum?
This part of the hindbrain helps control breathing, heart rate, and digestion.
What are the medulla oblongata and pons?
These coverings on some axons help speed signal conduction.
What is myelin?
The tendency for the left and right hemispheres to specialize in different tasks is called this.
What is lateralization?
This automatic response can occur through the spinal cord without brain involvement.
What is a reflex?
This forebrain structure relays sensory information to the cerebrum.
What is the thalamus?
The left hemisphere is especially strong in these two academic skill areas.
What are language and math?