CNS
The two main structures that make up the central Nervous System are?
The brain and the spinal cord
These branch-like structures receive incoming electrical signals from other neurons.
Dendrites
This "rest and digest" system slows the heart rate and increases intestinal activity.
Parasympathetic nervous system
This "feel-good" chemical is associated with the brain's reward system and pleasure.
Dopamine
This progressive disease is characterized by memory loss and the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease
The largest part of the brain is divided into four lobes and handles high-level functions like thought and action, and is called the?
The cerebrum
This insulating layer, often made by Schwann cells in the PNS, speeds up the transmission of electrical impulses.
Myelin sheath
This rapid, involuntary response to a stimulus often bypasses the brain, processing only through the spinal cord.
Reflex
Low levels of this neurotransmitter, which helps regulate mood and sleep, are often linked to depression.
Serotonin
This condition, often caused by a loss of dopamine-producing cells, results in tremors and difficulty with movement.
Parkinson’s disease
This lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual information from the eyes.
Occipital lobe
The microscopic gap where neurotransmitters are released to pass a signal from one neuron to another is called the?
Synapse (or synaptic cleft)
This division of the peripheral nervous system controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.
Somatic nervous system
This is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, acting like a "brake" to calm neural activity.
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath of the nerves.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
These three layers of protective membranes—the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater—surround the brain and spinal cord and are called?
The meninges
An influx of these specific positive ions into a neuron triggers an action potential.
Sodium ions (Na+)
The name of the 12 pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain rather than the spinal cord.
Cranial nerves
This is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate nervous system, vital for learning and memory.
The Glutamate
: This is the medical term for a "brain attack" caused by a blood clot or a burst vessel in the brain.
A Stroke
This specific part of the brainstem regulates life-sustaining involuntary functions such as heart rate and breathing.
Medulla oblongata
These non-neuronal cells, like astrocytes and microglia, provide support and protection for neurons.
Glial cells (or neuroglia)
The sympathetic nervous system primarily uses this neurotransmitter to trigger the "fight or flight" response.
Norepinephrine (or epinephrine/adrenaline)?
These natural painkillers are released during exercise or stress and are chemically similar to opiates.
Endorphins
This disorder is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Epilepsy