Brain Parts
How the Brain Works
Connections
Terms
My Brain Hurts
100

The word used for the two halves of the brain.

What are hemispheres?

100
This part of the brain relays information from the rest of the brain to the spinal cord and also regulates basic body functions.
What is the brain stem?
100
In the brain and the central nervous system, these cells send and receive information to one anther.
What are neurons?
100
The brain is a part of this larger body system including the spinal cord and the skeletal system.
What is the central nervous system?
100

This side of the brain controls the left side of the body.

What is the right side of the brain?

200

This most primitive part of the brain, provides a connection to the spinal cord.

What is the brain stem?

200
A region or pathway in the brain that is activated when we experience pleasure from enjoyable things like eating good food.
What is the reward center? (pathway/curcuit)
200
This part of a neuron send information to other neurons.
What is an axon?
200
Natural opiates that are produced by the brain to blunt the perception of pain
What are endorphins?
200
A steel rod penetrated this lobe in the brain of Phineas Gage in the 1800's.
What is the frontal lobe?
300

The name for the outer core of the brain, which is its most advanced part, divided into four lobes.

What is cerebral cortex (or cerebrum)?

300
The part of the brain responsible for advanced thinking processes such as planning, organization, and problem solving.
What is the pre-frontal cortex (frontal lobe acceptable)
300
The part of a neuron that holds and carries genetic information.
What is the soma or cell body?
300
The part of the brain that is involved in "gut-level" emotional reactions such as anger and fear.
What is the limbic system (amygdala)?
300

The average teenager needs at least this many hours of sleep per night.

What is 9?

400
This part of the brain, located at the lower backside, is responsible for balance, movement, and plays a role in the working of our memory.
What is the cerebellum?
400

This part of the brain processes visual information.

What is the occipital lobe?

400
The parts of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons.
What are dendrites?
400
The brain's ability to change throughout one's life is often described with this term.
What is plasticity?
400

The natural response of the body when danger is perceived including a release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

What is the fight or flight response?

500
A brain system responsible for producing hormones and chemicals to regulate the body.
What is the limbic system?
500
This part of the brain that connects the right and left hemispheres.
What is the corpus collosum?
500
A tiny gap between cells which neurotransmitters must cross to travel from one neuron to another.
What is a synapse?
500

A type of stress that is short-term and experienced because one is in an environment/situation that causes anxiety, and subsides once that situation has passed.

What is acute stress?

500

The term for when someone feels less pain than they normally would because of they are facing a stressful or frightening stimulus (experience).

What is stess-induced analgesia?