Biology and Behavior Key Terms - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and their definitions from the Biology and Behavior notes (CNS, brain structures, endocrine system, and heredity).

central nervous system

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

peripheral nervous system

The neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body, including muscles and glands.

neuron

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

cell body

The part of the neuron that produces the energy needed for the activity of the cell.

dendrite

The branchlike extensions of a neuron that receive impulses and conduct them toward the cell body.

axon

A long tubelike structure attached to a neuron that transmits impulses away from the neuron cell body.

myelin

A white fatty substance that insulates axons and enables rapid transmission of neural impulses.

axon terminal

Small fibers branching out from an axon.

synapse

The junction between the axon terminals of the sending neuron and the dendrites of the receiving neuron.

neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger that carries impulses across the synaptic gaps between neurons.

spinal cord

A column of nerves within the spine that transmit messages to and from the brain.

somatic nervous system

The division of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system with sensory receptors, muscles and skin.

autonomic nervous system

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates body functions, such as respiration and digestion.

medulla

A structure at the base of the brain stem that controls vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing.

pons

A brain structure located at the top of the brain stem that is involved in respiration, movement and sleep.

cerebellum

The area of the brain that is responsible for voluntary movement and balance.

reticular activating system

The part of the brain that is involved in attention, sleep and arousal.

thalamus

The structure of the brain that relays messages from the sense organs to the cerebral cortex.

hypothalamus

The neural structure located below the thalamus that controls temperature, hunger, thirst, and various aspects of emotion.

limbic system

A group of neural structures at the base of the cerebral hemispheres that is associated with emotion and motivation.

cerebrum

The large mass of the forebrain, consisting of two hemispheres.

cerebral cortex

The bumpy, convoluted surface of the brain; the body’s control and information processing center.

corpus callosum

The nerve fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex.

association area

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in such mental operations as thinking, memory, learning and problem solving.

endocrine system

The glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

hormone

One of several chemicals produced by the endocrine glands that regulates specific body functions.

heredity

The genetic transmission of traits from one generation to the next.

gene

The basic building blocks of heredity.

chromosome

A microscopic threadlike structure in the nucleus of every living cell; contains genes, the basic building blocks of heredity.