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Brain Basics Study Guide
1. What is the largest part of the human brain and what is its function?
Answer: Cerebrum – Associated with higher order functioning (thinking, perceiving,
planning, understanding language) and voluntary behavior.
2. The cerebrum is divided into _two_____ hemispheres, bridged together by
a bundle of fibers called the _corpus callosum___.
3. Covering the outermost layer of the cerebrum is the _cerebral cortex_.
4. What are the functions of the four lobes?
Answer: Frontal- movement, higher thinking, emotional responses. Parietal- attention,
language, space perception. Occipital- vision. Temporal- hearing, memory.
5. What is the amygdala responsible for?
6. The __cerebellum___ controls movement and cognitive processes that
require precise timing.
7. What is the difference between gray matter and white matter?
Answer: Gray matter  nerve cell bodies. White matter  contains myelinated axons.
8. What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system and what
are their functions?
Answer: Sympathetic nervous system- “fight/flight”. Parasympathetic- “rest & digest”.
9. How many neurons are in the mammalian brain?
Answer: 100 billion.
10. The three main components of a neuron are the cell body, dendrites,
and axon. What are the functions of each component?
Answer: Cell body- control center (nucleus & cytoplasm). Axons- extends from cell body &
produces nerve terminals. Dendrite- receives messages from other neurons.
11. __Synapses____ are the contact points where one neuron communicates
with another.
12. Many axons are covered with a myelin sheath, which _accelerates__ the
transmission of electrical signals along the axon. This sheath is made by
specialized cells called _glial cells___.
 Brain: oligodendrocytes. PNS: Schwann cells.
13. Nerve impulses involve the opening and closing of ___ion channels___.
14. An action potential occurs as the neuron switches from an internal
__negative___ charge to a _positive___ charge.
15. When these voltage changes reach the end of an axon, they trigger the
release of _neurotransmitters__.