Structure and Function of the Nervous System
The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.
→ What is the central nervous system?
The basic building block of the nervous system.
→ What is a neuron?
The "master gland" that regulates other glands in the endocrine system.
→ What is the pituitary gland?
This brain region controls basic life functions like heartbeat and breathing.
→ What is the medulla?
this imaging technique uses X-rays to produce images of the brain’s structure.
→ What is a CT (computed tomography) scan?
This branch of the peripheral nervous system controls voluntary muscle movements.
These neurons carry messages from the body to the brain and spinal cord.
→ What are sensory neurons (afferent neurons)?
→ What are sensory neurons (afferent neurons)?
This gland regulates metabolism and is located in the neck.
→ What is the thyroid gland?
This “little brain” coordinates voluntary movement and balance.
→ What is the cerebellum?
This technique uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of brain tissue.
→ What is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)?
This part of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for fight or flight.
→ What is the sympathetic nervous system?
This brief electrical charge travels down the axon of a neuron.
→ What is an action potential?
→ What is an action potential?
Hormones differ from neurotransmitters because they are released into this system.
→ What is the bloodstream (circulatory system)?
This limbic system structure is crucial for processing emotions, especially fear and aggression.
→ What is the amygdala?
This brain scan shows brain activity by detecting where radioactive glucose is used.
→ What is a PET (positron emission tomography) scan?
This part of the autonomic nervous system calms the body down after arousal.
→ What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
This neurotransmitter is associated with movement, learning, and memory—and is deficient in Alzheimer’s disease.
→ What is acetylcholine (ACh)?
What is acetylcholine (ACh)?
This gland controls your response to stress by releasing adrenaline and cortisol.
→ What is the adrenal gland?
This part of the brain is involved in higher-level thinking, planning, and judgment.
What is the frontal lobe?
This technique measures electrical activity in the brain using electrodes on the scalp.
What is an EEG (electroencephalogram)?
Explain how the spinal reflex arc works independently of the brain.
What is: Sensory neurons send signals to the spinal cord, which processes the reflex through interneurons and sends immediate motor responses, bypassing the brain?
Explain how reuptake affects neurotransmitter activity at the synapse.
→ What is: Reuptake is the process where excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron, reducing their effect on the receiving neuron?
→ What is: Reuptake is the process where excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron, reducing their effect on the receiving neuron?
Compare the endocrine and nervous systems in terms of speed and duration of their effects.
→ What is: The nervous system works quickly and has short-lived effects, while the endocrine system works more slowly and has longer-lasting effects?
Explain the role of the hypothalamus in both the nervous and endocrine systems.
→ What is: The hypothalamus links the nervous and endocrine systems by controlling the pituitary gland and regulating body functions like hunger, thirst, and body temperature?
Describe how fMRI differs from MRI in terms of the information it provides.
What is: fMRI shows both the structure and function of the brain by measuring blood flow, while MRI only shows structure?