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Name _____________________________

Date ___________________

Select the definition that most nearly defines the given word.

1.   spinal cord    threadlike branches of a neuron that carry impulses toward the cell body    central organ of the nervous system    nerves that carry messages from the brain to the muscles resulting in actions    long cord of nerves running through the backbone; connects the brain with the rest of the body

2.   cranial nerves    a shiny, white, insulating covering over some nerve fibers    brain waves of a relaxed adult that occur at about 8 to 13 cycles/second    12 pairs of peripheral nerves that branch out from the brain    brain and spinal cord

3.   backbone    flexible column of vertebrae that protects the spinal cord    wrinkled part of the cerebrum made up of 10 to 14 billion neurons    control center of a cell    part of the brain that coordinates movements and balance

4.   glial cells    patterns of electricity generated by the brain’s activity    cells that support and nourish neurons    nerves that control automatic functions such as breathing (which we don’t consciously control)    tiny pulses of electricity that move along a nerve fiber

5.   hypothalamus    long cord of nerves running through the backbone; connects the brain with the rest of the body    cells that support and nourish neurons    portion of the brain containing control centers for body’s functions and emotions; means “under the inner room”    nerves that spread to all parts of the body and are linked to the brain and spinal cord

6.   brain waves    patterns of electricity generated by the brain’s activity    the covering over nerve fibers made up of living cells    message transmitted along nerve cells    the long, threadlike part of a neutron that transmits impulses away from the cell body

7.   axon    the long, threadlike part of a neutron that transmits impulses away from the cell body    two halves of the cerebrum    brain waves of a thinking adult that occur at about 13 to 30 cycles/second    controls eye muscles and adjusts ears to sound

8.   myelin sheath    brain waves that occur in a newborn or a deep-sleeping adult; these occur at less than 4 cycles/second    brain’s main relay station; means “inner room”    portion of the brain containing control centers for body’s functions and emotions; means “under the inner room”    a shiny, white, insulating covering over some nerve fibers

9.   colliculi    a nerve cell    main part of the nerve cell    portion of brain stem just above the spinal cord; contains the control centers for heartbeat, breathing, and digestion    controls eye muscles and adjusts ears to sound

10.   central nervous system    machine that records brain wave patterns    brain and spinal cord    the thinking brain    flexible column of vertebrae that protects the spinal cord

11.   electroencephalograph    machine that records brain wave patterns    portion of the brain containing control centers for body’s functions and emotions; means “under the inner room”    controls eye muscles and adjusts ears to sound    tiny pulses of electricity that move along a nerve fiber

12.   hemispheres    nerves that carry messages from the brain to the muscles resulting in actions    the long, threadlike part of a neutron that transmits impulses away from the cell body    two halves of the cerebrum    the thinking brain