Biology & Behavior Key Terms
central nervous system - Answer-the complex of nerve tissues that controls the activities of the
body. In vertebrates it comprises the brain and spinal cord.
peripheral nervous system - Answer-the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.
neuron - Answer-nerve cells that provide communication through the body.
cell body - Answer-produces energy for the cell.
dendrite - Answer-receives impulses & conducts them to the cell body.
axon - Answer-carries messages away from the cell body.
myelin - Answer-insulates & protects the axon.
axon terminals - Answer-conducts electrical signals to a nerve synapse.
synapse - Answer-the junction between the axon terminals of one neuron and the dendrites of
another neuron.
neurotransmitter - Answer-chemical messenger that carries impulses across the synaptic gap
across transmitters.
spinal cord - Answer-column of nerves within the spine that transmits messages to & from the
brain.
somatic nervous system - Answer-transmits senses to the central nervous system.
autonomic nervous system - Answer-regulates the body's vital functions (heart beat, breathing)
medulla - Answer-vital function
pons - Answer-body movement, attention, sleep.
cerebellum - Answer-balance & coordination.
reticular activating system - Answer-attention, sleep & arousal.
thalamus - Answer-is a relay station for sensory info.
hypothalmus - Answer-regulates body temp., motivation & emotion. Also involved in hunger,
thirst & sex behavior.
limbic system - Answer-memory, emotion, sex, aggression.
cerebrum - Answer-large part of the brain- 70% vol. Coordination of voluntary activity in the
body.
central nervous system - Answer-the complex of nerve tissues that controls the activities of the
body. In vertebrates it comprises the brain and spinal cord.
peripheral nervous system - Answer-the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.
neuron - Answer-nerve cells that provide communication through the body.
cell body - Answer-produces energy for the cell.
dendrite - Answer-receives impulses & conducts them to the cell body.
axon - Answer-carries messages away from the cell body.
myelin - Answer-insulates & protects the axon.
axon terminals - Answer-conducts electrical signals to a nerve synapse.
synapse - Answer-the junction between the axon terminals of one neuron and the dendrites of
another neuron.
neurotransmitter - Answer-chemical messenger that carries impulses across the synaptic gap
across transmitters.
spinal cord - Answer-column of nerves within the spine that transmits messages to & from the
brain.
somatic nervous system - Answer-transmits senses to the central nervous system.
autonomic nervous system - Answer-regulates the body's vital functions (heart beat, breathing)
medulla - Answer-vital function
pons - Answer-body movement, attention, sleep.
cerebellum - Answer-balance & coordination.
reticular activating system - Answer-attention, sleep & arousal.
thalamus - Answer-is a relay station for sensory info.
hypothalmus - Answer-regulates body temp., motivation & emotion. Also involved in hunger,
thirst & sex behavior.
limbic system - Answer-memory, emotion, sex, aggression.
cerebrum - Answer-large part of the brain- 70% vol. Coordination of voluntary activity in the
body.
