Brain Facts Flashcards

Complete BrainFacts Glossary
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_15z1me
1. Acetylcholine A critical neurotransmitter that controls functions such

as memory, attention, sleep, heart rate, and muscular
activity.
2. Action Potential An electrical charge that travels along the axon to the
neuron's terminal, where it triggers the release of a neu-
rotransmitter. This occurs when a neuron is activated
and temporarily reverses the electrical state of its interior
membrane from negative to positive.
3. Adenosine A neurochemical that inhibits wakefulness, serving the

purpose of slowing down cellular activity and diminishing
arousal. The levels of this neurochemical decrease during
sleep.
4. Adrenal Cortex An endocrine organ that secretes steroid hormones for

metabolic functions; for example, in response to stress.
5. Adrenal Medulla An endocrine organ that secretes epinephrine and norep-

inephrine in concert with the activation of the sympathetic
nervous system; for example, in response to stress.
6. Agonist 1.) A neurotransmitter, drug, or other molecule that stim-

ulates receptors to produce a desired reaction.
2.) A muscle that moves a joint in an intended direction.
7. Alzheimer's Dis- A major cause of dementia in the elderly, this neurode-

ease generative disorder is characterized by the death of neu-
rons in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and other brain
1 / 24
regions. The earliest symptoms of the disease include for-
getfulness; disorientation as to time or place; and difficulty
with concentration, calculation, language, and judgment.
In the final stages, individuals are incapable of self-care
and may be bedridden.
8. Amino Acid The most prevalent neurotransmitters in the brain, these

Transmitters include glutamate and aspartate, which have excitatory
actions on nerve cells, and glycine and gamma-aminobu-
tyric acid (GABA), which have inhibitory actions on nerve
cells.
9. Amygdala A structure in the forebrain that is an important com-

ponent of the limbic system and plays a central role in
emotional learning, particularly within the context of fear.
10. ALS (Amyotroph- This disease causes motor neurons in the brain and
ic Lateral Scle- spinal cord to disintegrate, resulting in loss of control of
rosis), common- voluntary muscle movements such as walking.
ly known as Lou
Gehrig's disease
11. Androgens Sex steroid hormones, including testosterone, found in

higher levels in males than females. They are responsible
for male sexual maturation.
12. Antagonist 1.) A drug or other molecule that blocks receptors. They
inhibit the effects of agonists.
2.) A muscle that moves a joint in opposition to an intend-
ed direction.
13. Aphasia Disturbance in language comprehension or production,

often as a result of a stroke.
14. Apoptosis Programmed cell death induced by specialized biochem-

ical pathways, often serving a specific purpose in the
development of an animal.
15. Association Cor- The parts of the cerebral cortex outside of the primary
tex areas (the primary areas being the sensory based motor,
2 / 24
tactile, visual, and auditory areas). It is essential for com-
plex cognitive function.
16. Auditory Nerve A bundle of nerve fibers extending from the cochlea
of the ear to the brain that contains two branches: the
cochlear nerve, which transmits sound information, and
the vestibular nerve, which relays information related to
balance.
17. ADHD (Attention A condition characterized by excessively inattentive, hy-

Deficit Hyperac- peractive, or impulsive behaviors.
tivity Disorder)
18. ASD (Autism A condition characterized by impaired social skills; verbal

Spectrum Disor- and nonverbal communication difficulties; and narrow, ob-
ders) sessive interests or repetitive behaviors.
19. Autonomic Ner- A part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for
vous System regulating the activity of internal organs. It includes the
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
20. Axon The fiber-like extension of a neuron by which it sends

information to target cells.
21. Basal Ganglia Structures located deep in the brain that play an impor-
tant role in the initiation of movements. These clusters of
neurons include the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus
pallidus, and substantia nigra. Cell death in the substantia
nigra contributes to Parkinson's disease.
3 / 24
22. Bipolar Disorder Previously known as manic-depressive illness, this dis-

order is characterized by episodes of deep depression
and manic highs. The depressive episodes are similar to
those experienced by people with depression. Symptoms
of mania include increased energy, decreased need for
sleep, a marked interest in goal-directed activities, and
poor judgment.
23. Brainstem The major route by which the forebrain sends information
to and receives information from the spinal cord and
peripheral nerves. This structure controls, among other
things, respiration and the regulation of heart rhythms.
24. Broca's Area The brain region located in the frontal lobe of the left
hemisphere that is important for the production of speech.
25. Catecholamines The neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and nor-

epinephrine, which are active in both the brain and the
peripheral sympathetic nervous system. These three mol-
ecules have certain structural similarities and are part of a
larger class of neurotransmitters known as monoamines.
26. Cell Body The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus (with DNA)
(Soma, Cyton or and the organelles, but not the projections such as the
Perikaryon) axon or dendrites.
4 / 24
27. Cerebrum The largest part of the human brain associated with high-
er order functioning, such as thinking, perceiving, plan-
ning, and understanding language, as well as the control
of voluntary behavior. It is comprised of the cerebral cor-
tex, and the subcortical structures of the basal ganglia,
hippocampus, and olfactory bulb.
28. Cerebellum A large structure located at the roof of in the hindbrain that
helps control the coordination of movement by making
connections to the pons, medulla, spinal cord, and thala-
mus. It also may be involved in aspects of motor learning.
29. Cerebral Cortex A sheet of tissue covering the outermost layer of the
cerebrum.
30.
5 / 24
Cerebrospinal A liquid found within the ventricles of the brain and the
Fluid central canal of the spinal cord.
31. Circadian A cycle of behavior or physiological change lasting ap-

Rhythm proximately 24 hours (without light stimulus, 25).
32. Cochlea A spiral-shaped, fluid-filled organ of the inner ear re-

sponsible for converting sound into electrical potentials to
produce an auditory sensation. Curls around 2.5 times.
33. Cognition The process or processes by which an organism gains

knowledge or becomes aware of events or objects in its
environment and uses that knowledge for comprehension
and problem-solving.
34. Cone Cell A primary receptor cell for vision located in the retina. It is
sensitive to color and is used primarily for daytime vision.
Make up about 5% of all photoreceptors in the retina.
6 / 24
35. Corpus Callo- The large bundle of nerve fibers linking the left and right
sum cerebral hemispheres.
36. Cortisol A hormone manufactured by the adrenal cortex. In hu-

mans, it is secreted in the greatest quantities before
dawn, readying the body for the activities of the coming
day.
37. Cranial Nerve A nerve that carries sensory and motor output for the
head and neck region. There are 12 of them.
38. Declarative Mem- The ability to learn and consciously remember everyday
ory facts and events.
39. Depression A psychiatric disorder characterized by sadness, hope-

lessness, pessimism, loss of interest in life, reduced emo-
tional wellbeing, and abnormalities in sleep, appetite, and
energy level.
40. Dendrite A treelike extension of the neuron cell body. The extension
is the primary site for receiving and integrating information
from other neurons.
7 / 24
41. Dopamine A catecholamine neurotransmitter present in three cir-
cuits of the brain: one that regulates movement; a second
thought to be important for cognition and emotion; and
a third that regulates the endocrine system. Deficits of
this transmitter in the motor circuit are associated with
Parkinson's disease. Abnormalities in the second circuit
have been implicated in schizophrenia.
42. Down Syndrome A condition that typically occurs when, at the time of con-
ception, an extra copy of chromosome 21 is present in the
egg. This genetic anomaly is associated with physical and
developmental characteristics, including mild to moderate
intellectual disabilities; low muscle tone; and an increased
risk of congenital heart defects, respiratory problems, and
digestive tract obstruction.
43. Drug Addiction Loss of control over drug intake or compulsive seeking
and taking of drugs, despite adverse consequences.
44. Endocannabi- Lipid-derived messengers sometimes referred to as the

noids brain's marijuana. These messengers control the release
of neurotransmitters, usually by inhibiting them, and can
affect the immune system and other cellular parameters.
They also play an important role in the control of behav-
iors.
45. EEG (Electroen- A technology used to record electrical activity of the hu-
cephalography) man brain in response to a variety of stimuli and activities.
46. Endocrine Gland
8 / 24
The general name of an organ that secretes a hormone
directly into the bloodstream to regulate cellular activity of
certain other organs.
47. Endorphins Neurotransmitters produced in the brain that generate

cellular and behavioral effects like those of morphine.
These neurochemicals are opioid neuropeptides.
48. Epilepsy A disorder characterized by repeated seizures, which are

caused by abnormal excitation of large groups of neurons
in various brain regions. This disorder can be treated with
many types of anticonvulsant medications.
49. Epinephrine A hormone, released by the adrenal medulla and spe-

(Adrenaline) cialized sites in the brain. During times of stress, this
hormone is quickly released into the bloodstream. It then
serves to put the body into a general state of arousal,
which enables it to cope with the challenge.
50. Estrogens A group of sex hormones found more abundantly in fe-

males than males. They are responsible for female sexual
maturation and other functions.
51. Excitation A change in the electrical state of a neuron that is asso-

ciated with an enhanced probability of action potentials.
52. Follicle-Stimulat- A hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates

ing Hormone the production of sperm in the male and growth of the
follicle (which produces the egg) in the female.
53. Forebrain The largest part of the brain, which includes the cerebral
cortex and basal ganglia. The structure is credited with
the highest intellectual functions, and is comprised of the
cerebrum, thalamus, and hypothalamus.
54. Fovea The centermost part of the eye located in the center of the
retina and contains only cone photoreceptors.
55. Frontal Lobe
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One of the four subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. This
lobe has a role in controlling movement and in the plan-
ning and coordinating of behavior.
56. fMRI (Functional A technology that uses magnetic fields to detect activity
Magnetic Reso- in the brain by monitoring blood flow.
nance Imaging)
57. GABA An amino acid transmitter in the brain whose primary

(Gam- function is to inhibit the firing of nerve cells. This is most
ma-aminobu- abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter. It is active at 90% of
tyric Acid) the remaining neurons that aren't Glutamaminergic. Com-
bined, glutamate and this amino acid neurotransmitter
make up over 99% of the brain's transmitters.
58. Glia Specialized cells that nourish and support neurons.
59. Glucocorticoids Hormones that produce an array of effects in response

to stress. Some of the actions of these hormones help
mediate the stress response, while other, slower actions
counteract the primary response to stress and help re-es-
tablish homeostasis.
60. Glutamate An amino acid neurotransmitter used in excitation

at over 90% of the neurons in the brain. This
transmitter stimulates N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)
and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propi-
onic acid (AMPA). AMPA receptors have been implicated
10 / 24
in activities ranging from learning and memory to devel-
opment and specification of nerve contacts in developing
animals. Stimulation of NMDA receptors may promote
beneficial changes, whereas overstimulation may be a
cause of nerve cell damage or death in neurological trau-
ma and stroke.
61. Gonad Primary sex gland: testis in the male and ovary in the
female.
62. Gray Matter Portions of the nervous system that are gray in color
because they are composed mainly of neural cell bodies,
rather than myelinated nerve fibers, which are white.
63. Growth Cone A distinctive structure at the growing end of most axons.
It is the site where new material is added to the axon.
64. Hair Cells Sensory receptors in the cochlea that convert mechanical
vibrations to electrical signals; they in turn excite the
30,000 fibers of the auditory nerve that carry the signals
to the brainstem.
65. Hindbrain The most posterior part of the brain comprised of the
pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum.
11 / 24
66. Hippocampus A seahorse-shaped structure located within the brain and

considered an important part of the limbic system. One
of the most studied areas of the brain, it is involved in
learning, memory, and emotion.
67. Homeostasis The normal equilibrium of body function.
68. Hormones Chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands to

regulate the activity of target cells. They play a role in sex-
ual development, calcium and bone metabolism, growth,
and many other activities.
69. Huntington's A genetic disorder characterized by involuntary jerking

Disease movements of the limbs, torso, and facial muscles, of-
ten accompanied by mood swings, depression, irritability,
slurred speech, and clumsiness.
70. Hypothalamus A complex brain structure composed of many nuclei with

various functions, including regulating the activities
of internal organs, monitoring information from the auto-
nomic nervous system, controlling the pituitary gland, and
regulating sleep and appetite.
71. Interneuron A neuron that exclusively signals another neuron.
72. Inhibition A synaptic message that prevents a recipient neuron from

firing.
73. Ions Electrically charged atoms or molecules.
12 / 24
74. Ion Channels Selectively permeable water-filled channels that pass

through the cell membrane and allow ions or other small
molecules to enter or leave the cell.
75. Long-Term Mem- The final phase of memory, in which information storage
ory may last from hours to a lifetime.
76. MRI (Magnet- A technique that uses magnetic fields to create a

ic Resonance high-quality, three-dimensional image of organs and
Imaging) structures inside the body. This technology is noninvasive
and does not expose the body to X-rays or other radia-
tion. This imaging technique studies the water molecule's
hydrogen nuclei whereas an fMRI calculates the levels of
oxygen.
77. MRS (Magnet- Using the same machinery as MRI, this imaging tech-
ic Resonance nique measures the concentration of certain chemicals,
Spectroscopy) such as neurotransmitters, instead of blood flow.
78. MEG A technique that can quantitatively measure the strength

(Magnetoen- of activity in various regions of the brain at millisecond
cephalography) resolution.
79. Metabolism The sum of all physical and chemical changes that take
place within an organism and all energy transformations
that occur within living cells.
80. Midbrain The most anterior segment of the brainstem, this struc-
ture is comprised of the tectum (colliculi) and the cerebral
peduncle. With the pons and medulla (hindbrain), this part
of the brainstem is involved in many functions, including
regulation of heart rate, respiration, pain perception, and
movement.
81. Neural Migration The process whereby new neurons find their proper po-
sition in the brain.
82. Mitochondria
13 / 24
Small cylindrical organelles inside cells that provide ener-
gy for the cell by converting sugar and oxygen into special
energy molecules, called adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
83. Motor Neuron A neuron that carries information from the central nervous
system to muscle.
84. Motor Unit A functional unit made up of an alpha motor neuron and
all the muscle fibers it contains and controls, ranging from
a few to a hundred or more.
85. Mutations Changes in DNA, such as misplacement of nucleotides in

the gene sequence or incorrect amounts of DNA, that can
prevent a gene from functioning properly.
86. Multiple Sclero- An autoimmune disease in which the body's natural de-
sis fenses attack the myelin sheath covering the axons of
neurons in the central nervous system. Symptoms include
numbness, clumsiness, and blurred vision.
87. Myasthenia A disease in which acetylcholine receptors on muscle

Gravis cells are destroyed so that muscles can no longer re-
spond to the acetylcholine signal to contract. Symptoms
include muscular weakness and progressively more com-
14 / 24
mon bouts of fatigue. The disease's cause is unknown
but is more common in females than in males; it usually
strikes between the ages of 20 and 50.
88. Myelin Sheath Compact fatty material that surrounds and insulates the
axons of some neurons and accelerates the transmission
of electrical signals.
89. NMDA Receptors (one of three major classes of glutamate re-

(N-methyl-d-as- ceptors), which have been implicated in activities ranging
partate) from learning and memory to development and specifica-
Receptors tion of nerve contacts in a developing animal.
90. Nerve Growth A substance whose role is to guide neuronal growth dur-
Factor ing embryonic development, especially in the peripheral
nervous system. This neuropeptide probably helps sus-
tain neurons in adults.
91. Nerve Terminal The tip of the axon where neurotransmitters are released.
92. Neural Induction The process during embryonic development whereby

molecules trigger ectoderm tissue to become nerve tis-
sue.
93. Neurogenesis The production and growth of new nerve cells during
development and, in select brain regions, throughout life.
15 / 24
94. Neuron A nerve cell specialized for the transmission of infor-

mation and characterized by long, fibrous projections
called axons and shorter, branchlike projections called
dendrites.
95. Neuroscientist Scientists who specialize in the study of the brain and the
nervous system.
96. Neurotransmitter A chemical released by neurons at a synapse for the

purpose of relaying information to other neurons via re-
ceptors.
97. Nociceptors In animals, nerve endings that signal the sensation of

pain. In humans, they are called pain receptors.
98. Norepinephrine A catecholamine neurotransmitter produced both in the

brain and in the peripheral nervous system. This neuro-
transmitter is involved in arousal and sleep regulation,
mood, and blood pressure. The main neurotransmitter
of the sympathetic nervous system, this transmitter acts
on the sympathetic chain ganglia and the prevertebral
ganglia.
99. Occipital Lobe One of the four subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. This
lobe plays a role in processing visual information.
16 / 24
100. Olfactory Bulb A round, knoblike structure of the brain responsible for
processing the sense of smell. Specialized olfactory re-
ceptor cells are located in a small patch of mucous mem-
brane lining the roof of the nose. Axons of these sensory
cells pass through perforations in the overlying bone and
enter two elongated bulbs lying on top of the bone.
101. Orexin Neurons Specialized neurons that provide an excitatory signal to

(Hypocretin Neu- the arousal system, particularly to norepinephrine neu-
rons) rons. The activation of this neuropeptide plays a critical
role in preventing abnormal transitions into REM sleep
during the day, as occurs in narcolepsy.
102. Parasympathet- A branch of the autonomic nervous system concerned

ic Nervous with the conservation of the body's energy and resources
System during relaxed states.
103. Parietal Lobe One of the four subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. This
lobe plays a role in sensory processes, attention,
and language.
17 / 24
104. Parkinson's Dis- A movement disorder caused by death of dopamine
ease neurons in the substantia nigra, located in the mid-
brain. Symptoms include slowness of movement, muscu-
lar rigidity, and walking and balance impairment.
105. Peptides Chains of amino acids that can function as neurotransmit-

ters or hormones.
106. Peripheral Ner- A division of the nervous system consisting of all nerves
vous System that are not part of the brain or spinal cord.
107. Photoreceptor A nerve ending, cell, or group of cells specialized to sense

or receive light.
108. Pituitary Gland An endocrine organ closely linked with the hypothala-
mus. In humans, this organ is composed of two lobes
and secretes several different hormones that regulate the
activity of other endocrine organs throughout the body.
109. Plasticity The ability of the brain to modify its neural connections to
adapt to challenges in the environment.
110. Pons A part of the hindbrain that, with other brain structures,
controls respiration and regulates heart rhythms. This
structure is a major route by which the forebrain sends
information to and receives information from the spinal
cord and peripheral nervous system.
111. A method of measuring brain function based on the de-

tection of radioactivity, emitted when positively charged
18 / 24
PET (Positron particles undergo radioactive decay
emission Tomog- in the brain. Computers then build three-dimensional im-
raphy) ages of changes in blood flow based on the amount of
radiation emitted in different brain regions. The more brain
activity, the more vivid the picture that is created.
112. Psychosis A severe symptom of psychiatric disorders characterized

by an inability to perceive reality. This can occur in many
conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, de-
pression, and drug-induced states.
113. REM (Rapid Part of the sleep cycle when active dreaming takes place.
Eye Movement) It is characterized by neocortical EEG waves similar to
Sleep those observed during waking. This state is accompanied
by paralysis of the body's muscles; only the muscles
that allow breathing and control eye movements remain
active.
114. Reflexes Considered the simplest and most fundamental move-

ments, they are relatively fixed, automatic muscle re-
sponses to particular stimuli.
115. Retina A multilayered sensory tissue that lines the back of the
eye and contains the receptor cells to detect light.
116. Reuptake A process by which released neurotransmitters are ab-

sorbed for later reuse.
19 / 24
117. Rod Cell A sensory neuron located in the periphery of the retina.
This type of cell is sensitive to light of low intensity and is
specialized for nighttime vision. They make up about 95%
of all photoreceptive cells in the retina.
118. Schizophrenia A chronic disorder characterized by psychosis (e.g., hal-

lucinations and delusions), flattened emotions, and im-
paired cognitive function.
119. Second Messen- Substances that trigger communication after the actions
gers of neurotransmitters at their receptors have been com-
pleted. These molecules convey the chemical message
of a neurotransmitter (the first messenger) from the cell
membrane to the cell's internal biochemical machinery.
The effects of these molecules may endure for a few mil-
liseconds to as long as many minutes. They also may be
responsible for long-term changes in the nervous system.
120. Serotonin A monoamine neurotransmitter believed to play many

roles, including but not limited to temperature regulation,
sensory perception, and the onset of sleep. Neurons us-
ing this transmitter are found in the brain and gut. Several
antidepressant drugs are targeted to brain systems using
this neurotransmitter.
121. Short-Term A phase of memory in which a limited amount of informa-

Memory tion may be held for several seconds
or minutes.
122. Spinal Cord The extension of the brain through the vertebral column
that primarily functions to facilitate communication be-
tween the brain and the rest of the body.
20 / 24
123. Stem Cell Unspecialized cells that renew themselves for long peri-
ods through cell division.
124. Stimulus An environmental event capable of being detected by

sensory receptors.
125. Stress Any external stimulus that threatens homeostasis — the

normal equilibrium of body function. Many kinds of this
stimulus have a negative effect on the body, but some
kinds can be helpful.
126. Stroke A block in the brain's blood supply. This event can be
caused by the rupture of a blood vessel, a clot, or pres-
sure on a blood vessel (as by a tumor). Without oxygen,
neurons in the affected area die, and the part of the body
controlled by those cells cannot function. This can result
in loss of consciousness and death.
127. Suprachiasmat- A small group of nerve cells in the hypothalamus that

ic Nucleus express clock proteins, which go through
a biochemical cycle of about 24 hours. This sets the pace
for daily cycles of activity, sleep, hormone release, and
other bodily functions.
21 / 24
128. Sympathetic A branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible

Nervous System for mobilizing the body's energy and resources during
times of stress and arousal.
129. Synapse A physical gap between two neurons that functions as the
site of information transfer from one neuron to another.
130. Taste Bud A sensory organ found on the tongue.
131. Temporal Lobe One of the four major subdivisions of each hemisphere
of the cerebral cortex. This lobe functions in auditory
perception, speech, and complex visual perceptions.
132. Thalamus A structure consisting of two egg-shaped masses of

nerve tissue, each about the size of a walnut, deep within
the brain. The key relay station for sensory information
flowing into the brain, this structure filters out information
of particular importance from the mass of signals entering
the brain.
22 / 24
133. Trophic Factors Small proteins in the brain that are necessary for the
development, function, and survival of specific groups of
neurons.
134. Ventricles Comparatively large spaces filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Of the four spaces, three are located in the forebrain and
one in the brainstem. The lateral ones are the two largest,
and are symmetrically placed above the brainstem, one
in each hemisphere.
135. Vertebral Col- The column of bones, or vertebrae,

umn that extends down the back and functions as a structural
element for the body while also surrounding and protect-
ing the spinal cord.
136. Wernicke's Area A brain region responsible for comprehension of lan-

guage and production of meaningful speech. Located in
the dominant temporal lobe.
23 / 24
137. White Matter The part of the brain that contains myelinated nerve
fibers. This tissue gets its color from myelin, the insulation
covering nerve fibers.
24 / 24

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Complete BrainFacts Glossary

Study online at https://quizlet.com/_15z1me

1. Acetylcholine A critical neurotransmitter that controls functions such

3. Adenosine A neurochemical that inhibits wakefulness, serving the

4. Adrenal Cortex An endocrine organ that secretes steroid hormones for

5. Adrenal Medulla An endocrine organ that secretes epinephrine and norep-

6. Agonist 1.) A neurotransmitter, drug, or other molecule that stim-

7. Alzheimer's Dis- A major cause of dementia in the elderly, this neurode-

8. Amino Acid The most prevalent neurotransmitters in the brain, these

9. Amygdala A structure in the forebrain that is an important com-

11. Androgens Sex steroid hormones, including testosterone, found in

13. Aphasia Disturbance in language comprehension or production,

14. Apoptosis Programmed cell death induced by specialized biochem-

17. ADHD (Attention A condition characterized by excessively inattentive, hy-

18. ASD (Autism A condition characterized by impaired social skills; verbal

20. Axon The fiber-like extension of a neuron by which it sends

22. Bipolar Disorder Previously known as manic-depressive illness, this dis-

25. Catecholamines The neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and nor-

31. Circadian A cycle of behavior or physiological change lasting ap-

32. Cochlea A spiral-shaped, fluid-filled organ of the inner ear re-

33. Cognition The process or processes by which an organism gains

36. Cortisol A hormone manufactured by the adrenal cortex. In hu-

39. Depression A psychiatric disorder characterized by sadness, hope-

44. Endocannabi- Lipid-derived messengers sometimes referred to as the

46. Endocrine Gland

47. Endorphins Neurotransmitters produced in the brain that generate

48. Epilepsy A disorder characterized by repeated seizures, which are

49. Epinephrine A hormone, released by the adrenal medulla and spe-

50. Estrogens A group of sex hormones found more abundantly in fe-

51. Excitation A change in the electrical state of a neuron that is asso-

52. Follicle-Stimulat- A hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates

55. Frontal Lobe

57. GABA An amino acid transmitter in the brain whose primary

58. Glia Specialized cells that nourish and support neurons.

59. Glucocorticoids Hormones that produce an array of effects in response

60. Glutamate An amino acid neurotransmitter used in excitation

66. Hippocampus A seahorse-shaped structure located within the brain and

67. Homeostasis The normal equilibrium of body function.

68. Hormones Chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands to

69. Huntington's A genetic disorder characterized by involuntary jerking

70. Hypothalamus A complex brain structure composed of many nuclei with

71. Interneuron A neuron that exclusively signals another neuron.

72. Inhibition A synaptic message that prevents a recipient neuron from

73. Ions Electrically charged atoms or molecules.

74. Ion Channels Selectively permeable water-filled channels that pass

76. MRI (Magnet- A technique that uses magnetic fields to create a

78. MEG A technique that can quantitatively measure the strength

85. Mutations Changes in DNA, such as misplacement of nucleotides in

87. Myasthenia A disease in which acetylcholine receptors on muscle

89. NMDA Receptors (one of three major classes of glutamate re-

92. Neural Induction The process during embryonic development whereby

94. Neuron A nerve cell specialized for the transmission of infor-

96. Neurotransmitter A chemical released by neurons at a synapse for the

97. Nociceptors In animals, nerve endings that signal the sensation of

98. Norepinephrine A catecholamine neurotransmitter produced both in the

101. Orexin Neurons Specialized neurons that provide an excitatory signal to

102. Parasympathet- A branch of the autonomic nervous system concerned

105. Peptides Chains of amino acids that can function as neurotransmit-

107. Photoreceptor A nerve ending, cell, or group of cells specialized to sense

111. A method of measuring brain function based on the de-

112. Psychosis A severe symptom of psychiatric disorders characterized

114. Reflexes Considered the simplest and most fundamental move-

116. Reuptake A process by which released neurotransmitters are ab-