| A | B |
|---|
| thalamus | relay station for incoming and outgoing signals |
| hypothalamus | regulates homeostasis |
| corpus callosum | connects the cerebral hemipsheres |
| cerebrum | largest and most complex part of the human brain |
| hippocampus | vital in formation of new memories |
| limbic system | controls one's motivation and emotion |
| amygdala | helps to create emotions |
| temporal lobe | helps us to interpret what we hear |
| occipital lobe | helps us to interpret what we see |
| parietal lobe | integrates the sensory signals |
| cerebral cortex | thin, outer layer covering the cerebrum |
| pons | regulates our sleep and waking cycles |
| reticular formation | controls the brain's activity level |
| medulla | controls unconscious functions such as heartbeat and breathing |
| cerebellum | helps us maintain balance and posture |
| neuron | nerve cell |
| soma | neuronal cell body |
| myelin sheath | fatty tissue insulating the axon |
| terminal buttons | end of the axon |
| vessicles | contain neurotransmitters |
| neurotransmitters | chemical messengers |
| dendrites | receiving incoming neural impulse |
| synapse | gap between two nerve cells |
| endorphins | neurotransmitter that blocks pain signals |
| dopamine | neurotransmitter implicated in Parkinson's and schizophrenia |
| serotonin | neurotransmitter which effects mood and sleep |
| acetylcholine | neurotransmitter which is implicated in Alzheimer's |
| norepinephrine | neurotransmitter which is released when one undergoes stress |
| GABA | neurotransmitter linked to anxiety |
| endocrine system | glandular system |
| hormones | chemicals released by glands |
| pituitary gland | master gland which secrets a growth hormone |
| thyroid gland | gland which controls metabolism |
| gonads | glands which give us secondary sex characteristics |
| adrenal glands | glands which are useful in dangerous situations |
| pancreas | secretes insulin |
| central nervous system | consists of brain and spinal cord |
| peripheral nervous system | carries messages from muscles, tissue and organs to spinal cord |
| somatic division | allows voluntary movement of skeletal muscles |
| autonomic division | controls unconscious functioning such as heart beat and digestion |
| sympathetic division | prepares us for a fight or flight situation |
| parasympathetic division | returns us to normal after a fight or flight situation |
| androgens | masculine sex hormones |
| estrogens | feminine sex hormones |
