ANSWERS
What are the two major subdivisions of the nervous system?
CENTRAL nervous system
PERIPHERAL nervous system
What is another name for a "nerve cell"? NEURON
What two structures make up the central nervous system? BRAIN and SPINAL CORD
About how much does the brain weigh? 3 POUNDS (1.4 KG)
About how many nerve cells are in the brain? 86 BILLION
What animal has the largest brain? SPERM WHALE
What animal has the smallest brain? GREEN LIZARD
Does brain size correlate to intelligence? NO
Continue scrolling down to the section called "BRAIN STRUCTURES"
Where is the cerebral cortex located? OUTER LAYER OF THE BRAIN
What is a groove in the cortex called? SULCUS
What is a bump in the cortex called? GYRUS
What is one area of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning? HIPPOCAMPUS
Label the parts of the brain pictured below:
What are the four major lobes of the brain?
OCCIPITAL
PARIETAL
TEMPORAL
FRONTAL
What happened to Phineas Gage? ACCIDENTALLY HAD AN IRON ROD SHOT THROUGH HIS FRONTAL LOBE.
Name two functions that are dominant on the left brain side of the brain.
LANGUAGE; MATH; LOGIC
The right side of the brain?
SPATIAL ABILITIES; FACIAL RECOGNITION; MUSIC; VISUAL IMAGERY
What structure connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres? CORPUS CALLOSUM
What side of the brain controls language in most people? LEFT
List 5 famous left-handed folks
BILL CLINTON; MARILYN MONROE; JIMMY CONNORS; RONALD REAGAN; GEORGE BUSH; MANY OTHERS...
Is the proportion of brain weight to body weight different for men and women?NO
What happens to mens' brains as they age? SHRINKS FASTER THAN WOMENS' BRAINS When does the nervous system begin to form? 16TH DAY OF DEVELOPMENT What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)? FLUID THAT BATHES THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Name at least 2 functions of CSF.
PROTECTION OF BRAIN; BUOYANCY OF BRAIN; EXCRETION OF WASTE PRODUCTS; ENDOCRINE FUNCTIONS
What instrument is used to measure brain activity? ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH
About how much of your life do you spend asleep? ONE THIRD
What does REM stand for? RAPID EYE MOVEMENT
List three tips given on this page for good health.
WEAR SEATBELTS; WEAR HELMET; STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS; CROSSWALK SAFETY; SPORT SAFETY; STAY AWAY FROM GUNS; EAT RIGHT; DISPOSE OF CHEMICAL PROPERLY
Which sends signals faster, a brain or a computer? COMPUTER
When did Einstein die? APRIL 18, 1955
Who removed his brain? DR. THOMAS S. HARVEY Where is the brain now? PART CUT UP AND STUDIED; OTHER PIECES BACK AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
What kind of drug is alcohol? DEPRESSANT
What term is given to drugs that kill brain cells? NEUROTOXIN
Which soft drink has the most caffeine per serving? JOLT
What are two negative side effects of caffeine? HEADACHES; DIZZINES; ALTERED SLEEP PATTERNS
Is cocaine an addicting drug? YES
What organ does it affect other than the brain? HEART
List two short-term effects of marijuana use: MEMORY AND LEARNING PROBLEMS; PERCEPTUAL DISTORTION; PROBLEMS WITH THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING; LOSS OF COORDINATION, HEART RATE CHANGES; ANXIETY
List two possible long-term effects of marijuana use: CANCER; LUNG DAMAGE; IMMUNE SYSTEM PROBLEMS
What effects may marijuana have on the babies of pregnant women who smoke marijuana? LOW BIRTH WEIGHT; SMALLER HEAD SIZE
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