A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissues.

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.

A series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representaion of a slice through the body. Aslo called a CAT scan

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.

The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

A system of neural structures at the border of brainstem. Associated with emotions like fear, aggression, and drives such as those for food and sex. Includes the Hippocampus, Amygdala and hypothalamus.

"Little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions including processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements.

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes.

This structure is responsible for sleep and arousal.

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which revieves aditory info primarily from the opposite end.

Simple, automatic responses to sensory stimuli, such as the knee-jerk response

A conditioning resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers connecting them.

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receive visual info from the opposite visual field.

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

The principle that, among range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition. (including perception, thinking, memory and language.)

The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes; this may vary depending on population range and the environment being studied

Two lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system, linked to emotion. Includes rage and fear.

The body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

The base of the brainstem. Controls heartbeat and breathing.

The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes.

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

A neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron.

A layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next.

The brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell's response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters.

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. It's sympathetic system arouses and parasympathetic calms.

The brains 'sensory switch board' Located at top of brainstem; directs messages to the sensory areas and transmits them to cerebellum and medulla.

This makes up a large part of the limbic system. It's responsible for learning and memory matching.

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking. Broca's Area and Wernicke's Area are both examples of this.

"Morphine within"— natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

The area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

The oldest part and central core of brain. Contains the reticular formation, or reticular activating system. In charge of automatic survival functions.

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.