Deck 1: Nervous System Organization

Question 1

Early theories about the brain's function stated that

A) the brain moves the body through hydraulic pumping of fluid throughout the body
B) the brain is involved in cooling the blood
C) behavioral problems arise when the brain is too dry
D) all of the above

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Evolution

A) selects for traits that are advantageous to a species
B) can only act on traits that are heritable
C) produces species that function well within their ecological niche
D) all of the above

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Why is it that a specific feature of an organism (such as an eye) may be well-suited to its environment but not an "optimal" adaptation?

A) Evolution is constrained by the traits passed along by previous generations
B) Evolution can only act on the parts of an organism that come into direct contact with the environment
C) Evolution is not capable of producing structures that have clear design principles
D) all of the above

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The field of study that is concerned with the study of the function of the nervous system is

A) anatomy
B) molecular biology
C) physiology
D) all of the above

Question 5

An experiment that examines the speed of neural activity would most accurate described as an experiment in __________________.

A) neuroanatomy
B) molecular biology
C) physiology
D) all of the above

Question 6

State whether the structure is found in the Central Nervous Sysetm (CNS) or Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) by writing either PNS or CNS on each line.
-________________ retina

A) CNS
B)PNS

Question 7

State whether the structure is found in the Central Nervous Sysetm (CNS) or Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) by writing either PNS or CNS on each line.
-________________ autonomic ganglia

A) CNS
B)PNS

Question 8

State whether the structure is found in the Central Nervous Sysetm (CNS) or Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) by writing either PNS or CNS on each line.
-________________ brain

A) CNS
B)PNS

Question 9

State whether the structure is found in the Central Nervous Sysetm (CNS) or Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) by writing either PNS or CNS on each line.
-________________ spinal cord

A) CNS
B)PNS

Question 10

State whether the structure is found in the Central Nervous Sysetm (CNS) or Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) by writing either PNS or CNS on each line.
-________________ enteric nervous system

A) CNS
B)PNS

Question 11

Which structure is not considered part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

A) autonomic ganglia
B) enteric ganglia
C) spinal cord
D) all of the above

Question 12

Propose an explanation for why evolution has produced centrally organized nervous systems in vertebrate animals, but decentralized nervous systems such as are often found in invertebrates.

Question 13

Which of the following is a true statement?

A) gray matter contains the parts of a neuron that connect them with other neurons
B) A fiber tract is a single nerve fiber running from one neuron to another
C) white matter is mostly composed of myelin, a fatty substance that insulates neuronal connections
D) all of the above

Question 14

The disease multiple sclerosis leads to the destruction of myelin. Which would you predict might happen?

A) Communication between neurons would be disrupted
B) More white matter would be present
C) Gray matter would disappear
D) All of the above

Question 15

In science the word "nucleus" can take on several meanings. Describe different uses of the word nucleus in the structure of atoms, cells, and brain regions. State which of these is the largest in terms of size.

Question 16

Brain nuclei are

A) clusters of neurons that have similar properties (shape and function)
B) clusters of neurons with diverse shapes and functions
C) often named for structural features of their neurons or for their position
D) all of the above

Question 17

Which term indicates a position that is towards an animals tail?

A) dorsal
B) ventral
C) rostral
D) caudal
E) none of the above

Question 18

Fill in the blank with one of the following words: rostral, caudal, dorsal, ventral, inferior, superior, anterior, posterior, medial, lateral.
An elephant's ears are ___________________ to its brain.

Question 19

Fill in the blank with one of the following words: rostral, caudal, dorsal, ventral, inferior, superior, anterior, posterior, medial, lateral.
A hat is worn on the ____________________ surface of the head.

Question 20

Fill in the blank with one of the following words: coronal, saggital, horizontal.
To see the entire medial surface of the brain, a _________________ section is needed.

Question 21

Fill in the blank with one of the following words: ipsilateral, contralateral.
A fiber tract that connects the lateral surfaces of the brain would connect _________________ regions.

Question 22

Which of the following structures arises from the midbrain during development?

A) tegmentum
B) hippocampus
C) cerebellum
D) amygdala

Question 23

Which of the following structures does NOT arise from the forebrain during development?

A) cerebellum
B) hippocampus
C) retina
D) amygdala

Question 24

What might contribute to the different visual appearances of different regions of the brain?

A) The regions may differ in neuron number
B) The regions may differ in neuron distribution
C) The regions may differ in the amount of myelin
D) all of the above

Question 25

Which of the following describes a significant difference in brain architecture between the cerebral cortex and other brain structures?

A) The cerebral cortex is smooth, whereas most other structures contain many folds
B) Cortical neurons are arranged in a series of layers rather than the nuclei found in other structures
C) The cortex is located on the ventral side of the brain, whereas most structures are dorsal
D) all of the above

Question 26

The cortical laminae

A) differs in thickness depending on the location
B) is composed of cell bodies and is therefore gray matter
C) is composed of between 2-6 layers of neurons
D) all of the above

Question 27

Refer to figures 1.9 and 1.14, in the text which illustrate the major lobes of the brain that is most associated with each function.
-________________ somatosensation (sense of touch)

A)parietal lobe
B)frontal lobe
C)occipital lobe
D)temporal lobe

Question 28

Refer to figures 1.9 and 1.14, in the text which illustrate the major lobes of the brain that is most associated with each function.
-________________ motor control (movement)

A)parietal lobe
B)frontal lobe
C)occipital lobe
D)temporal lobe

Question 29

Refer to figures 1.9 and 1.14, in the text which illustrate the major lobes of the brain that is most associated with each function.
-________________ vision

A)parietal lobe
B)frontal lobe
C)occipital lobe
D)temporal lobe

Question 30

Refer to figures 1.9 and 1.14, in the text which illustrate the major lobes of the brain that is most associated with each function.
-________________ audition (hearing)

A)parietal lobe
B)frontal lobe
C)occipital lobe
D)temporal lobe

Question 31

Neurons contain two types of processes: axons and dendrites. What is the major difference between the two?

A) Dendrites are long while axons are shorter and branching.
B) Dendrites receive incoming signals from other neurons while axons carry the output of the neurons.
C) A cell body gives rise to a single dendrite and multiple axons.
D) Dendrites travel long distances while axons are generally much shorter.
E) all of the above

Question 32

Fill in the blank with words from section 1.2 that complete this sentence.
Neurons are cells in the brain that use chemical and electrical signals to communicate. An electrical signal known as an ________________________ travels along the __________________________ of a neuron. The signal is then communicated to the next cell via chemical _________________________ which cross the _______________________ and are detected by molecular receptors on dendrites.

Question 33

What is NOT true of glial cells?

A) They electrically insulate neurons.
B) They engulf cellular debris.
C) They control blood flow to neurons.
D) They send electrical signals via action potentials.

Question 34

In an experiment, you identify a group of cells that appear to be engulfing cellular debris. This cell is most likely which type of glial cell?

A) schwann cell
B) astrocyte
C) oligodendrocyte
D) microglia

Question 35

Match each type of glial cell with one of their functions.
-________________ myelination in the PNS

A)schwann cells
B)astrocytes
C)oligodendrocytes
D) microglia

Question 36

Match each type of glial cell with one of their functions.
-________________ regulation of blood flow and recycling neurotransmitters

A)schwann cells
B)astrocytes
C)oligodendrocytes
D) microglia

Question 37

Match each type of glial cell with one of their functions.
-________________ myelination in the CNS

A)schwann cells
B)astrocytes
C)oligodendrocytes
D) microglia

Question 38

The retina receives visual stimulation and the retinal neurons then send projections to various brain regions for further processing. This example illustrates the general principle known as

A) Convergence
B) Divergence
C) Feedback loops
D) None of the above

Question 39

The brain's connections are complex. Which of the following is true of the organizing principles that describe pathways that connect different brain regions?

A) Convergence describes connections from a single region to multiple different regions
B) Divergence describes connections from multiple regions to a single region
C) Feedback loops describe connections that send information "backward" to where it originated
D) All of the above

Question 40

In many organisms, the superior colliculus is involved in determining the location of objects. Multiple pathways carry information from visual and auditory areas to the superior colliculus. This example illustrates the general principle known as

A) Convergence
B) Divergence
C) Feedback loops
D) None of the above

Question 41

In an experiment, you find that a neural pathway seems to involve many neuronal projections in both directions. This might be evidence of

A) Convergence
B) Divergence
C) Feedback loops
D) None of the above

Question 42

Read the description given of positive and negative feedback loops. Propose a brain system or task that would use feedback loops to function correctly.

Question 43

Match the idea with the scientist.
-________________ electrical signals underlie brain activity and muscle movement

A)Sherington
B)Aristotle
C)Descartes
D)Darwin
E)Ramon y Cajal
F)Meynart & James
G)Hippocrates

Question 44

Match the idea with the scientist.
-________________ brain is involved in cooling the body

A)Sherington
B)Aristotle
C)Descartes
D)Darwin
E)Ramon y Cajal
F)Meynart & James
G)Hippocrates

Question 45

Match the idea with the scientist.
-________________ brain is a hydraulic pump

A)Sherington
B)Aristotle
C)Descartes
D)Darwin
E)Ramon y Cajal
F)Meynart & James
G)Hippocrates

Question 46

Match the idea with the scientist.
-________________ organisms pass on beneficial adaptations to offspring

A)Sherington
B)Aristotle
C)Descartes
D)Darwin
E)Ramon y Cajal
F)Meynart & James
G)Hippocrates

Question 47

Match the idea with the scientist.
-________________ techniques to visualize neurons

A)Sherington
B)Aristotle
C)Descartes
D)Darwin
E)Ramon y Cajal
F)Meynart & James
G)Hippocrates

Question 48

Match the idea with the scientist.
-________________ experiences modify brain connectivity and function

A)Sherington
B)Aristotle
C)Descartes
D)Darwin
E)Ramon y Cajal
F)Meynart & James
G)Hippocrates

Question 49

Match the idea with the scientist.
-________________ brain is the organ of consciousness

A)Sherington
B)Aristotle
C)Descartes
D)Darwin
E)Ramon y Cajal
F)Meynart & James
G)Hippocrates

Question 50

Selectively modifying the activity of neurons can be achieved by

A) activating neurons by introducing light-sensing ion channels that normally wouldn't be present
B) causing expression of receptors that respond to normally inert compounds
C) inactivating neurons by introducing light-sensing ion channels that normally woudn't be present
D) all of the above

Question 51

Refer to figure b1.3 In the text that illustrates optogenetic stimulation of feeding. Predict how the graph might differ if halorhodopsin was introduced into these neurons rather than channelrhodopsin?

A) The graph would not likely be the same
B) The red line would drop, rather than rise, during the period of blue light stimulation
C) The red line would increase even more during the period of blue light stimulation
D) The blue line would increase during the course of the experiment and overlap the red line

Question 52

A central pattern generator is best described as

A) a region of the visual system that recognizes specific patterns and relays this information to other brain areas
B) a region of the brain that initiates activity ONLY in response to sensory stimuli
C) a region of the brain that has an intrinsic ability to initiate responses
D) all of the above

Question 53

Which of the following statements best describes brain organization as it relates to learning and memory?

A) Since neurons in the brain connect with nearly every other neuron it is not surprising that the process of learning & memory formation occurs only in one or two specific locations.
B) Although neurons have many connection, the process of learning & memory formation occurs only in one or two specific locations.
C) Neurons have many connections, and the process of learning and memory formation occurs in many brain regions.
D) Since neurons generally form a connection with one other neuron, the process of learning and memory formation occurs nearly everywhere throughout the brain.

Question 54

Choose the structure that is NOT involved in learning and memory.

A) striatum
B) amygdala
C) cerebellum
D) hippocampus
E) all of the above structures are involved in learning and memory

Question 55

Which scientist is most associated with the now-discredited field of phrenology?

A) Descartes
B) Gall
C) Sherrington
D) Ramon y Cajal
E) all of the above

Question 56

The field of study this is concerned with understanding the behavior of animals as a way to understand the brain is ____________________.

Question 57

Phrenology is the now-discredited idea that

A) holes drilled into the head will release evil spirits
B) humidified air will bring improved brain function
C) the shape of the skull can be used to predict mental abilities
D) none of the above

Question 58

Though phrenology is now a discredited idea, in that the shape of the skull has little to no bearing on an individual's mental abilities, what underlying idea remains at least partially correct?

A) specific regions of the brain are involved in certain functions
B) the shape of the skull can predict neuroanatomical features of the brain
C) no specialization occurs among different brain regions
D) all of the above

Question 59

Using a reverse engineering approach to understand how brain functions are interrelated is known as _______________________.

Question 60

Neuroethologists study behaviors that allow animals to succeed in their natural environment. Which of these is NOT a good example of such a behavior?

A) eating
B) drinking
C) reproductive behaviors
D) danger avoidance
E) coloration

Question 61

Can you think of an animal behavior that would not be evolutionarily beneficial? Describe and explain.

Question 62

Similar genes in two different species are sometimes called ______________.

Question 63

What would you predict might be true regarding humans and mice?

A) The overall brain structure would be similar
B) Many genes are similar in both species
C) Considerable differences may exist regarding brain nuclei
D) all of the above

Question 64

Which two organisms would you predict would have a more closely related brain?

A) mice and frogs
B) frogs and fish
C) whales and cows
D) birds and bats

Question 65

What traits might be more important than brain size in determining the mental abilities of an animal?

A) ratio of brain size to animal size
B) amount of folding (increased brain surface area)
C) dedication of brain regions to a specific function
D) all of the above

Question 66

Does brain size seem to correlate with intelligence among different species of animals? Besides size, what other aspects of brain organization may be even more important?

Question 67

Even though there are significant differences in brain organization and function, why is it useful to perform experiments on animal brains?

A) homologous genes may direct brain function in a similar way
B) certain functions may be similar, even though not all functions are similar
C) structurally the brains may be organized in similar ways even though differences exist at smaller scales
D) all of the above

Question 68

Circle the correct answer. Evolutionary change might be expected to lead most substantially to differences in the (upper/lower) levels of biological organization.

Question 69

Briefly describe three historical (incorrect) ideas about the function of the brain. Can you think of any modern day "myths" about the brain and its function?

Question 70

It is hypothesized that a certain hypothalamic nucleus is responsible for water-seeking behaviors. Propose two methods of performing an experiment that would support your hypothesis.

Question 71

The following statement is incorrect: "The brain is composed of many independent regions. Each of these regions has a specific function." How might it be corrected below?

A) The brain is composed of distinct regions. Though these regions may be associated with a specific function, many functions are widely distributed across brain areas.
B) The brain is composed of distinct regions. Few if any of these regions are associated with a specific function, but rather brain functions are widely distributed across many brain areas.
C) The brain is largely homogenous, with nuclei spread relatively evenly throughout. Brain functions are served by nuclei in specific areas of the brain.
D) The brain is largely homogenous, with nuclei spread relatively evenly throughout. Few if any regions are associated with a specific function.

Question 72

It is hypothesized that a certain hypothalamic nucleus is responsible for water-seeking behaviors. Propose two methods of performing an experiment that would support your hypothesis.

Question 73

Brain organization is hierarchical, containing many different levels of organized units. Which of the following is NOT an example of this hierarchical organization?

A) Central pattern generators that function autonomously, though with inputs that modify their activity
B) The brain is organized at the level of the cerebral cortex, nuclei, neuronal circuits and genetic circuits.
C) The brain contains many examples of convergent pathways, where multiple areas of the brain send signals to a single location.
D) none of the above are examples of hierarchical organization

Question 74

In some ways, a computer is a good analogy for the brain. However it is not perfect. Discuss 3 ways where the analogy breaks down and the brain is unlike a computer.

Question 75

Imagine that you are interested in studying the biological basis of smell in the brain, and that you couldn't use a mammal as an animal model system. What animal would you choose and why? Would you necessarily need an animal with a brain similar to ours? Why or why not?