Medical Detectives Glossary

Practice questions and answers based on the PLTW Medical Detectives vocabulary glossary covering neuroanatomy, experimental design, and pathology.

What comprises the central nervous system (CNS)?

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

What is the name of the clear, colorless liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord?

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

What is the function of the cerebellum?

To coordinate and regulate muscular activity.

What is the corpus callosum?

A broad band of nerves that connects the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum.

How is the incubation period defined?

The time between contact and onset of illness.

What is myelin?

A fatty substance that surrounds the axon and increases the speed at which signals travel.

Which specific measurements are considered vital signs?

Pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure.

What is the primary responsibility of the occipital lobes?

Visual perception and involvement in some forms of visual, short-term memory.

What is electromyography (EMG)?

A test that identifies nerve damage by measuring the electrical activity in muscles.

What is the role of an epidemiologist?

A medical professional who studies and investigates the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases.

What is the difference between a dependent variable and an independent variable?

A dependent variable depends on the state of another variable, while an independent variable does not depend on the state of another variable.

What is the function of the thalamus?

Relaying sensory information and acting as a center for pain perception.

What is a neurotoxin?

A poison that affects the nervous system.

What are the parietal lobes responsible for?

Sensing touch, spatial processing (being able to tell where objects are in space), language, and memory.

According to the transcript, why are viruses sometimes classified as microorganisms?

Although viruses are not considered living organisms, they are sometimes classified as microorganisms because they are microscopic infectious agents.