Glia, also known as glial cells, are non-neuronal cells that provide support and protection for neurons located in the central nervous system. Neurons are made up of dendrites, axons, and a cell body (which is covered by the myelin sheath).

The refractory period can be thought of as the recovery time that a neuron needs between action potentials. During this period, no additional neurotransmitters can be fired. Most refractory periods are quite short, lasting less than a single second.

The myelin sheath is a layer of fatty tissue that encases the fibers of most neurons. The myelin sheath enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next.

The sodium potassium pump moves sodium and potassium against their concentration gradient. The pump moves 3 sodium ions out of the cell and 2 potassium ions into the cell. This pump requires ATP (cellular energy) since it is pumping ions against their gradient.

The limbic system is primarily located in the forebrain. Key structures of the limbic system include the hypothalamus (which moderates biological needs, such as hunger), hippocampus (which stores long-term memory), and the amygdala (which plays a role in emotional associations). The primary purposes of the limbic system are to store memories, moderate survival behaviors, and generate emotional responses. It plays a key role in biological motivations by determining such responses as hunger, sex drive, and fear.

The medulla oblongata is located in the hindbrain and brain stem. Its key purpose is to facilitate functions of the autonomic nervous system, initiating such things as respiration, heart beat, and blood pressure. It is not considered part of the limbic system.

Alcohol is a depressant that suppresses the secretion of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate, while increasing the production of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. At the same time, it increases the release of dopamine to the nucleus accumbens, creating a pleasure sensation.

The temporal lobe is one of the four major lobes of the brain, located on the sides of the brain behind the temples and ears. This lobe of the cerebrum houses the auditory cortex, which processes sound.

Vision is processed in the occipital lobe, located in the back of the brain. Balance is maintained by a variety of sensorimotor systems in the vestibular system, located in the inner ear. Smell is processed in the olfactory bulb, which is located in the frontal cortex of the brain.

The ventromedial hypothalamus controls feelings of hunger.

The thalamus relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex and regulates conciousness, sleep, and alertness. The frontal lobe carries out higher mental processes such as thinking, decision-making, and planning. The brain stem is the part of the brain that is connected to the spinal cord and controls the flow of messages between the brain and the rest of the body, as well as basic body functions.

The amygdala is an almond-shaped region of the inner brain, or the limbic system. It is responsible for emotional learning and emotional reactions.

The cerebellum coordinates movements that are initiated by the motor cortex in the frontal lobe. The cerebellum is commonly associated with balance and and coordination. It is located at the back of the head, below the occipital lobe.