Answers to Key Terms Exercise Neuropsychology Chapter 2

hormone

A chemical messenger that is produced by an endocrine gland and carried by the bloodstream to target sites throughout the body.

cerebellum

The part of the brain involved in the coordination of our movements, sense of balance, and motor learning.

myelin sheath

An insulating layer of a white fatty substance on an axon that allows for faster neural impulses.

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

A visual display that shows the activity of various areas in the brain by detecting the level of positron emission arising from radioactive glucose being metabolized in each area.

neurotransmitter

A naturally occurring chemical within the nervous system that specializes in transmitting information between neurons.

association cortex

The areas in the cerebral cortex not devoted to primary sensory processing or motor processing.

antagonist

A drug or poison that decreases the activity of one or more neurotransmitters.

somatic (skeletal) nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory input from receptors to the CNS and relays commands from the CNS to skeletal muscles to control their movement.

corpus callosum

The bridge of neurons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

The major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.

glial cells (glia)

Cells in the nervous system that comprise the support system for the neurons.

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Drugs that achieve their agonistic effect on serotonin by selectively blocking its reuptake.

endorphins

A group of neurotransmitters that are involved in pain relief and feelings of pleasure.

medulla

A brain stem structure involved in many essential body functions, such as heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, and swallowing.

parietal lobe

The area in each cerebral hemisphere in back of the central fissure and above the lateral fissure. The somatosensory cortex is in this lobe.