Nervous System Theme Unit
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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