What is the term for the small gaps in the myelin coating along an axon that help increase the speed of electrical signal conduction?
Explanation
This question assesses the student's knowledge of the specific anatomical features of a myelinated neuron, focusing on the function of the Nodes of Ranvier.
Other questions
Which part of the brain is described as playing a vital role in thinking and other mental processes, and forms an outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres?
What is the primary function of the hippocampus as described in the text?
According to the text, what is the approximate size of the human cerebral cortex if it were smoothed out?
In the context of hemispheric specialization, what is the function of the corpus callosum?
What percentage of the adult population is described as having language functions predominantly localized within the left hemisphere?
Which part of the brain, named after the Greek word for 'seahorse' due to its shape, is essential for memory formation?
Korsakoff's syndrome, a disease that produces loss of memory function, is associated with deterioration of the hippocampus and is caused by a lack of what substance?
The primary motor cortex, which specializes in movement, is located in which lobe of the brain?
What is the term for the brain-imaging technique that involves inserting a thin electrode next to a single neuron to record its electrical activity, a method typically used only on animals?
Which metabolic imaging technique uses magnetic fields to construct a detailed 3D image of brain activity by tracking increases in oxygen consumption, but does not require radioactive particles?
What type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain suddenly breaks, causing blood to spill into surrounding tissue?
The speed of signal transmission in a myelinated axon can reach up to what speed?
Which brain structure, part of the hindbrain, is named from the Latin for 'little brain' and controls bodily coordination, balance, and muscle tone?
A patient who has undergone surgery to sever the corpus callosum to treat epilepsy is referred to as what kind of patient?
What is the function of the lobes of the cerebral hemispheres?
Which neurotransmitter is associated with memory functions, where its loss is linked to the impaired memory seen in Alzheimer's disease?
In the context of the cerebral hemispheres, what does contralateral information transmission refer to?
According to the chapter, which brain region is described as the evolutionary oldest and most primitive part, and is also the first to develop prenatally?
The reticular activating system (RAS) is a network of neurons essential for regulating consciousness and is located in which parts of the brain?
In which lobe is the primary somatosensory cortex located, which is responsible for receiving information about pressure, texture, temperature, and pain?
What does a PET scan primarily measure to create images of the physiological functioning of the brain?
An imbalance with which neurotransmitter is associated with both schizophrenia (high levels) and Parkinson's disease (low levels)?
What is a major advantage of fMRI over PET scans for studying brain function?
A primary brain tumor is one that:
According to the chapter, how many neurons can be found per cubic millimeter in the neocortex?
Which brain-imaging technique is unique in its ability to examine causal relationships by temporarily disrupting normal brain activity to simulate a lesion?
What are the three main regions of the brain that are labeled based on their front-to-back physical arrangement in a developing embryo?
Damage to the amygdala is associated with which of the following deficits?
Which brain structure controls heart activity, breathing, swallowing, and digestion, and is where nerves cross from one side of the body to the opposite side of the brain?
An Event-Related Potential (ERP) is derived from EEG data by doing what?
What type of head injury is characterized by the skull remaining intact, but damage occurring to the brain from the mechanical force of a blow?
According to the text, approximately how many North Americans suffer a head injury each year?
Localization of function refers to which concept in brain research?
What are apraxia, as described in the chapter?
The temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily associated with which function?
The brain term 'rostral' refers to which part of the brain?
What is the function of myelin, the white fatty substance that surrounds some axons?
What is the primary characteristic of an open-head injury?
In the research conducted by Paul Broca, he found that a lesion in a specific part of the left cerebral hemisphere was critical for what function?
Dysfunction of the basal ganglia is associated with which two diseases mentioned in the chapter?
What is the main difference between gray matter and white matter in the brain?
According to research on split-brain patients, the left hemisphere is largely responsible for controlling which function?
What are the sulci, fissures, and gyri that are elements of the cerebral cortex?
What is the primary role of the thalamus in the forebrain?
What is the main purpose of an angiography?
Degeneration of myelin sheaths along axons in certain nerves is associated with which autoimmune disease?
What is the main function of the hypothalamus?
According to the text, what is the 'subtraction method' used for in metabolic imaging techniques like PET and fMRI?
Which part of the brain is associated with visual processing and contains the visual cortex?