Brain Basics - Chapter 1 - Brain Bee

Do answer with term

Nerve center of the body

What the brain is often referred to as in relation to the body.

Neurons

What the brain uses to transmit information.

Multitasking

The ability of the brain to perform multiple actions at once.

Regions of the brain

Distinct parts of the brain that specialize in specific tasks to accomplish multitasking.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the human brain.

Hemispheres of the cerebrum

The cerebrum is divided into two of these.

Corpus callosum

The largest bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the cerebrum.

Cerebral cortex

The deeply folded layer of nerve tissue on the surface of the cerebrum.

Deep folds in the cerebral cortex

Increase the area of the cerebral cortex, creating space for more neurons.

Lobes

The distinct regions of each hemisphere of the brain.

Frontal lobes

Located at the front of the brain, coordinating functions like voluntary movements and higher cognitive skills.

Parietal lobes

Located at the top of the brain, integrating sensory signals from the skin and taste.

Occipital lobes

Located at the back of the brain, primarily responsible for processing visual information.

Temporal lobes

Located on the sides of the brain, processing auditory information.

Hippocampus

Structures in the brain involved in encoding new memories.

Amygdala

Integrates memory and emotion in the brain.

Limbic system

Composed of the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and hypothalamus.

Thalamus

Integrates sensory information and relays it to other parts of the brain.

Hypothalamus

Sends hormonal signals to the rest of the body through the pituitary gland.

Forebrain

Composed of the cerebral cortex and the limbic system.

Midbrain

Located beneath the thalamus, coordinating eye movements and reflexes.

Basal ganglia

Helps regulate complex body movements.

Pons

Located below the cerebellum, influencing breathing and posture.

Medulla

Controls basic functions like swallowing, heart rate, and breathing.

Brainstem

Made up of the midbrain, pons, and medulla.

Olfactory bulbs

Responsible for detecting chemicals.

Nerve tracts

Bundles of nerve fibers that transmit signals over long distances.

Neural network

A group of nerve tracts connecting a series of regions in the brain.

Alpha waves

Brain waves with frequencies between 8 and 13 Hz, mainly in the parietal and occipital lobes when relaxed.

Beta waves

Brain waves with frequencies ranging from 14 to 30 Hz, typically produced during task concentration.

Theta waves

Brain waves typical of sleep.

Spinal tract

A chain of neurons passing signals through the brainstem and spinal cord.

Local neural circuits

Interconnected neurons that process information in all brain regions.

Excitatory neurons

Neurons that typically activate other neurons; about 80 percent of neurons.

Pyramidal cell

The most common type of excitatory neuron in the cerebral cortex.

Inhibitory neurons

Neurons that suppress the activity of neighboring neurons.

Glial cells

Support cells associated with neurons.

Astrocytes

Glial cells that regulate ion concentrations around neurons and provide nutrients.

Microglia

Act as the main immune cells of the brain.

Ependymal cells

Make the cerebrospinal fluid.

Oligodendrocytes

Improve neuron function by wrapping axons in myelin.

Dendrites

Extensions of a neuron's cell body that receive information from other neurons.

Synapses

The sites where dendrites receive information from other neurons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that carry signals from one neuron to the next.

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter.

GABA

The brain's most important inhibitory neurotransmitter.