Psycho-Bio Test 1

Synapse

the junction point of two or more neurons; a connection is made by neurotransmitters

hormones

Chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another

growth hormone

The hormone controlled by the pituitary that regulates the growth process

Adreneline

the chemical that prepares the body for emergency activities by increasing blood pressure, breathing rate, and energy level

right hemisphere

Controls the left side of the body; it is the more artistic and creative side of the brain

left hemisphere

controls the right side of the body; analytical, language, math

neuron

nerve cell that transmits electrical and chemical information throughout the body

glands

Bodily units that contain the hormones

thyroid gland

produces hormones that regulate metabolism, body heat, and bone growth

gonads

the sex glands that make sperm or eggs for reproduction

corpus callosum

A massive bundle of fibers that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres and allows them to communicate with each other

dendrite

part of the nerve cell that receives information from the axons of other nerve cells

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

spinal cord

functions as an automatic "brain" in its own right and is a relay station for impulses to and from the higher brain

endocrine system

the term for all the glands and their chemical messages taken together

Metabolism

the speed with which the body operates or the speed with which it uses up energy

dominance

term that indicates that for each person, one hemisphere is preferred and controls the majority of actions performed

Hypothalamus

controls maintenance functions such as eating; helps govern endocrine system; linked to emotion and reward

axon

the part of the neuron that carries messages away from the nerve cell to dendrites on another nerve cell

reflex

an automatic behavior of the body involving movement that is activated through the spinal cord without use of the higher brain

pituitary gland

master gland of the body which activates the hypothalamus and controls growth and the growth hormone

adrenal glands

glands that cause excitement in order to prepare the body for an emergency or for some important activity

estrogen

Female sex hormone

hemisphere

one half of the two halves of the brain