Across
- 4. The body's framework of bones that supports the body, protects organs, and works with muscles to create movement.
- 7. The tiny space where one neuron communicates with another neuron or with a muscle cell.
- 11. The ability to keep the body in an upright position using information from the brain, muscles, joints, and balance systems.
- 18. The ability to keep the body stable and controlled while standing or moving, using the brain, muscles, bones, eyes, and inner ear.
- 19. The part of the brain that processes information received from the eyes and helps you see.
- 21. A small gland that releases hormones and helps control growth and many other body functions.
- 22. Areas of the brainstem that automatically control breathing by helping regulate when you inhale and exhale.
- 23. The column of bones that supports the body and protects the spinal cord.
- 24. The movement of electrical signals along neurons that helps the nervous system send messages quickly.
- 25. The brain region involved in hearing, language, memory, and understanding information.
Down
- 1. A long bundle of nerve tissue that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
- 2. The part of the brain that helps coordinate movement, balance, posture, and precise muscle control.
- 3. The outer layer of the brain that helps with thinking, learning, memory, language, senses, and voluntary movement.
- 5. The part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord and controls many automatic functions needed to stay alive.
- 6. Special cells that carry messages through the nervous system using electrical and chemical signals.
- 8. When muscle fibers tighten or shorten, creating movement such as walking, lifting, or blinking.
- 9. The brain's ability to change and strengthen its connections as we learn, practice, and have new experiences.
- 10. The brain region that processes information about touch, pressure, temperature, pain, and the body's position.
- 12. A brain structure that helps process emotions, especially fear, danger, and emotional memories.
- 13. The brain region involved in planning, decision-making, problem-solving, personality, and voluntary movement.
- 14. Activities and experiences that challenge the brain and encourage learning, thinking, and the development of neural connections.
- 15. The process of removing weaker or unused connections between neurons so the brain can work more efficiently.
- 16. A route that nerve signals follow through connected neurons to carry information from one part of the nervous system to another.
- 17. A situation in which a strong emotional reaction takes over before the thinking parts of the brain have time to respond.
- 20. The body's main control center that receives information, makes decisions, and sends instructions to the rest of the body.