Fundamentals of Brain Structure and Function Quiz

Dendrites are neural extensions that receive signals from other neurons in the brain, much like how branches of a tree receive messages and distribute them.

A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system that processes and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals. It is often compared to a silicon chip in a computer due to its role in information processing and transmission.

An axon is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body to other cells. It is often compared to an electrical cable that carries information.

A terminal button is analogous to the nozzle at the end of a hose, both serve as endpoints where something is released or initiated.

A synapse is a structure that permits a neuron (or nerve cell) to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating various functions in the body such as sleep, eating, and aggression. It is not an enzyme, hormone, or vitamin.

Monoamines are a type of neurotransmitter that play a crucial role in regulating various behaviors in the brain and body.

Myelin is a fatty substance that forms a sheath around nerve fibers, much like the insulation around electrical wires, to help speed up the transmission of nerve impulses.

Glia provide support and protection for neurons, rather than directly conducting electrical impulses, forming memories, or regulating neurotransmitter release.

Endorphins are indeed chemicals that act as the body's natural painkillers, resembling opiate drugs in structure and function.

Acetylcholine (ACh) is specifically the neurotransmitter responsible for transmitting signals between motor neurons and voluntary muscles, enabling muscle movement.

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating anxiety and anxiety disorders.

Glutamate is an amino acid with excitatory effects and plays a role in learning and memory functions.

Abnormal levels of dopamine have been strongly linked to symptoms of schizophrenia, while serotonin, GABA, and acetylcholine are neurotransmitters that play different roles in the brain.