Deck 4: The Brain: Source of Mind and Self

Question 1

What neural structure is shaped like a sea horse?

A) the frontal lobe
B) the hippocampus
C) the hypothalamus
D) the cerebellum

Answer 1

the hippocampus

Question 2

Which lobe of cortex was damaged when Phineas Gage had his accident?

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

Answer 2

the frontal lobe

Question 3

What structure is referred to as the body's "master gland" because it controls many other endocrine glands?

A) the adrenal gland
B) the pituitary gland
C) the pineal gland
D) The hypothalamus

Answer 3

the pituitary gland

Question 4

What is the part of a neuron that sends information to other cells?

A) the cell body
B) the axon
C) the dendrite
D) the cell membrane

Question 5

What part of the brain is called a "gateway" to memory?

A) the hippocampus
B) the hypothalamus
C) the cortex
D) the amygdala

Question 6

Which hemisphere specializes in language and in logical, symbolic, and sequential tasks?

A) the right hemisphere
B) the left hemisphere
C) both hemispheres
D) the right hemisphere in left-handed people and the left hemisphere in right-handed people

Question 7

What part of the brain is responsible for monitoring incoming information and alerting higher brain areas?

A) the reticular activating system
B) the hypothalamus
C) the medulla
D) the hippocampus

Question 8

What structure connects the two hemispheres, allowing them to communicate with each other?

A) the hippocampus
B) the thalamus
C) the corpus callosum
D) the pineal gland

Question 9

What structure in the brain plays a role in drives associated with survival of the individual and the species?

A) the hypothalamus
B) the cerebellum
C) the thalamus
D) the cortex

Question 10

What brain structure evaluates incoming sensory information and determines its emotional importance?

A) the amygdala
B) the thalamus
C) the hippocampus
D) the pons

Question 11

What substances play a role in suppressing pain and promoting pleasure?

A) hormones
B) neurotransmitters
C) endorphins
D) serotonin

Question 12

What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

A) the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
B) the somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
C) the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system
D) the parietal nervous system and temporal nervous system

Question 13

What is the basic building block of the nervous system?

A) the glial cell
B) the neuron
C) the brain
D) the nerve

Question 14

What part of the brain acts like a switchboard or traffic officer sending sensory information to the appropriate areas of cortex?

A) the hypothalamus
B) the cerebellum
C) the thalamus
D) the medulla

Question 15

What happens when an action potential reaches the axon terminal?

A) The action potential jumps to the next neuron.
B) The action potential reverses direction and returns to the cell body.
C) The action potential excites the next neuron.
D) The action potential causes a neurotransmitter to be released.

Question 16

What part of the brain is responsible for motor coordination?

A) the cortex
B) the spinal cord
C) the thalamus
D) the cerebellum

Question 17

Which lobe of cortex processes visual information?

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

Question 18

What are the two parts of the central nervous system?

A) the brain and spinal cord
B) the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
C) the somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
D) the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system

Question 19

Which lobe of cortex processes auditory information?

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

Question 20

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

A) frontal nervous system and occipital nervous system
B) central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
C) somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
D) brain and spinal cord

Question 21

Although it weighs only ________, the brain is the bedrock of all behaviour and mental activity.

A) 1500 grams
B) 2000 grams
C) 1000 grams
D) 500 grams

Question 22

Cameron touches a hot iron and immediately pulls his hand away. His quick response occurs because:

A) his glands have secreted chemical messengers called hormones.
B) the brain has registered that pain is occurring and responds quickly.
C) neurons in the spinal cord touch end to end to increase response speed.
D) spinal reflexes are automatic, requiring no conscious effort.

Question 23

A collection of neurons and supportive tissue running from the base of the brain down the centre of the back, protected by a column of bones, is called the:

A) amygdala.
B) spinal cord.
C) somatic nervous system.
D) cerebellum.

Question 24

The case of the man who developed "gourmand syndrome" shows that:

A) brain damage is always malignant.
B) most cases of brain injury are benign and do not affect a person's behaviour.
C) in some cases, the changes that occur as a result of brain damage can be benign.
D) following brain injury, a person loses the ability to function normally.

Question 25

The spinal cord is actually an extension of the:

A) sensory nerves.
B) body's visceral organs.
C) brain.
D) skeletal nervous system.

Question 26

The nervous system is divided into the following two main parts:

A) the neuron and the nerve.
B) the brain and the nerves.
C) the brain and the spinal cord.
D) the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

Question 27

What is it that makes brain research different from studying anything else in the universe?

A) The brain is made of more different chemical compounds than anything else in the universe.
B) Brain function uses a combination of biological, chemical, and physical processes that are difficult to comprehend.
C) We must use the circuitry of our own brains to understand the circuitry of brains in general.
D) The brain is more complex than anything else in the universe.

Question 28

The ________ receives, processes, interprets, and stores incoming sensory information and also sends out messages destined for muscles, glands, and internal organs.

A) somatic nervous system
B) central nervous system
C) peripheral nervous system
D) autonomic nervous system

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT true of spinal reflexes?

A) Spinal reflexes control such responses as withdrawing from a painful stimulus, sneezing, and blinking.
B) They can sometimes be controlled by thoughts and emotions through neural pathways to and from the brain.
C) They involve sensory messages to the spinal cord that immediately trigger a motor response.
D) They are automatic and require no conscious effort.

Question 30

The ________ receives, processes, interprets, and stores incoming sensory information and also sends out messages destined for muscles, glands, and internal organs.

A) central nervous system
B) occipital lobe
C) action potential
D) brain stem

Question 31

The function of ________ is to gather and process information, produce responses to stimuli, and coordinate the workings of different cells.

A) a cell body
B) endorphins
C) a synapse
D) a nervous system

Question 32

The brain's most startling accomplishment is its:

A) transmission of information quickly and accurately between the hemispheres.
B) production of dopamine to prevent the development of Parkinson's disease.
C) ability to maintain heart rate and breathing for years on end.
D) self-awareness of its own different capabilities and knowledge.

Question 33

Reflexes above the neck, such as sneezing and blinking, involve the ________, and reflexes below the neck, such as pulling a hand away from a hot stove, involve the ________.

A) lower part of the brain; spinal cord
B) cranial nerves; precursor cells
C) sensory nerves; lower part of the brain
D) spinal cord; cranial nerves

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a function of the nervous system?

A) to produce responses to stimuli
B) to trigger and regulate neurosclerotic activity
C) to coordinate the workings of different cells
D) to gather and process information

Question 35

An important role of the spinal cord is:

A) producing automatic spinal reflexes.
B) monitoring the activity of the internal organs.
C) processing and storing incoming sensory information.
D) producing responses to complex stimuli.

Question 36

The authors describe the case of a man who developed a puzzling symptom in which he was obsessed with fine dining. This "gourmand syndrome" was the result of:

A) a stroke damaging the left side of his brain.
B) a split-brain operation.
C) a stroke damaging the right side of his brain.
D) the loss of myelin surrounding his neurons.

Question 37

Which part of the nervous system produces some behaviours on its own, without any help from the brain?

A) the reticular formation
B) the spinal cord
C) the parasympathetic system
D) the sympathetic system

Question 38

Dr. Hardin is a neuroscientist. Which of the following is LEAST LIKELY to be her area of research?

A) aspects of psychosexual development of the child
B) biological basis for mental disorders
C) biological foundations of consciousness
D) aspects of the brain involved in memory

Question 39

William Shakespeare said that the brain was "the soul's frail dwelling house." Wade, Tavris, Saucier, and Elias point out that, actually, the "house" would be the nervous system as a whole and the brain would be:

A) the small alcove at the top of the stairs.
B) the main room in the house.
C) the furnishing that make the house liveable.
D) the halls and walkways throughout the house.

Question 40

When injury or disease affects the brain's functioning:

A) cognition is adversely affected in a dramatic way.
B) life is inevitably changed, either physically or mentally.
C) sensory input is drastically reduced.
D) personality is adversely affected in a dramatic way.

Question 41

The input and output for the brain is handled by the:

A) spinal column.
B) central nervous system.
C) sympathetic nervous system.
D) peripheral nervous system.

Question 42

As she walks out of the living room, Gloriann turns off the light. In this example, Gloriann's ________ is active.

A) autonomic nervous system
B) sympathetic nervous system
C) parasympathetic nervous system
D) somatic nervous system

Question 43

In the peripheral nervous system, ________ carry orders from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.

A) sensory nerves
B) cranial reflexes
C) spinal reflexes
D) motor nerves

Question 44

An example of a spinal reflex that can be influenced by thoughts and emotions would be:

A) blinking in glaring light.
B) a hand pulled from a hot stove.
C) a sneeze near a vase of artificial flowers.
D) a man's erection while daydreaming.

Question 45

Which of the following statements is true?

A) The sympathetic nervous system enables the body to conserve and store energy.
B) The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
C) The parasympathetic nervous system mobilizes the body for action.
D) The autonomic nervous system collects sensory input and sends commands to skeletal muscles.

Question 46

The functioning of blood vessels, glands, and internal organs is regulated by the:

A) somatic nervous system.
B) spinal nervous system.
C) autonomic nervous system.
D) skeletal nervous system.

Question 47

Shannon blinks as she steps off the school bus and walks into a gust of wind. This automatic reaction is regulated by the:

A) lower part of her brain.
B) surge of her adrenal hormones.
C) spinal cord.
D) localization of function in her frontal lobes.

Question 48

Involvement of the brain is not necessary for a person to:

A) feel the difference between velvet and sandpaper.
B) shake someone else's hand.
C) imagine what it feels like to be paralyzed.
D) pull his or her hand from a hot stove.

Question 49

All of the following are examples of spinal reflexes EXCEPT:

A) the erection of the penis.
B) the secretion of hormones.
C) the hand pulling back in pain.
D) the ejaculation of semen.

Question 50

The autonomic nervous system is:

A) self-governing.
B) part of the skeletal nervous system.
C) part of the central nervous system.
D) responsible for voluntary muscle action.

Question 51

Which of the following is NOT an example of a spinal reflex?

A) the erection of the penis
B) the ejaculation of semen
C) sneezing when entering a dusty room
D) pulling a hand back from a hot object

Question 52

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A) The sympathetic nervous system controls body reflexes and the parasympathetic controls reflexes of the head.
B) The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems act in opposing ways to adjust the body to changing circumstances.
C) The sympathetic nervous system acts like an accelerator and the parasympathetic like a brake.
D) The sympathetic nervous system speeds up the body and the parasympathetic slows it down.

Question 53

Another name for the somatic nervous system is the:

A) parasympathetic nervous system.
B) sympathetic nervous system.
C) central nervous system.
D) skeletal nervous system.

Question 54

In the peripheral nervous system, ________ carry messages from special receptors in the skin, muscles, and other internal and external sense organs to the spinal cord, which sends them along to the brain.

A) sensory nerves
B) spinal reflexes
C) motor nerves
D) cranial reflexes

Question 55

The ________ nervous system is what controls your ability to write down your answer to this question.

A) parasympathetic
B) autonomic
C) somatic
D) sympathetic

Question 56

In the peripheral nervous system, ________ enable us to move, and cause glands to contract and to secrete hormones.

A) cranial nerves
B) motor nerves
C) somatic nerves
D) sensory nerves

Question 57

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects to sensory receptors and to skeletal muscles is called the:

A) parasympathetic nervous system.
B) central nervous system.
C) sympathetic nervous system.
D) somatic nervous system.

Question 58

The two parts of the peripheral nervous system are:

A) the autonomic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system.
B) the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
C) the somatic nervous system and the skeletal nervous system.
D) the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 59

Skeletal muscles and sensory organs are connected to the brain and spinal cord by the:

A) somatic nervous system.
B) parasympathetic nervous system.
C) sympathetic nervous system.
D) autonomic nervous system.

Question 60

On a hike through the hills, Tim feels a bug crawling up his leg under his pants. In this example, Tim's ________ is active.

A) somatic nervous system
B) parasympathetic nervous system
C) sympathetic nervous system
D) autonomic

Question 61

As Molly is walking across campus, a car swerves toward her. Her heart races and sweat breaks out as she jumps out of harm's way. This mobilization of energy is due to the action of Molly's:

A) somatic nervous system.
B) parasympathetic nervous system.
C) skeletal nervous system.
D) sympathetic nervous system.

Question 62

Parasympathetic nervous system activation:

A) decreases urine volume.
B) dilates the bronchial tubes.
C) inhibits glucose release by the liver.
D) stimulates ejaculation in males.

Question 63

Which of the following occurs when the sympathetic nervous system is activated?

A) release of glucose by the liver
B) constriction of pupils
C) contraction of bladder wall
D) activation of digestion

Question 64

Imagine you narrowly avert a serious car accident. When your heart begins to pound, your hands get sweaty, and the saliva in your mouth dries up, your ________ is/are active.

A) somatic nervous system
B) autonomic nervous system
C) spinal reflexes
D) skeletal muscles

Question 65

As Bridget is walking across campus, a bicyclist swerves toward her. Her heart races and sweat breaks out as she jumps out of harm's way. Soon, Bridget's heart rate begins to decrease and return to a regular rhythm. This calming reaction is due to the action of Bridget's:

A) sympathetic nervous system.
B) skeletal nervous system.
C) parasympathetic nervous system.
D) somatic nervous system.

Question 66

________ occurs when the sympathetic nervous system is activated.

A) Decreased urine volume
B) Digestion
C) Contraction of the bladder wall
D) Constriction of the pupils

Question 67

April spots the boy that she has a crush on sitting by his friends. Her heart begins to pound, her hands get sweaty, and her cheeks feel hot. April's ________ has/have been activated.

A) skeletal nervous system
B) autonomic nervous system
C) somatic nervous system
D) spinal reflexes

Question 68

Sympathetic nervous system activation:

A) enables the person to sense the world.
B) mobilizes the body for action.
C) tends to slow the body down.
D) keeps the body running smoothly.

Question 69

The sympathetic nervous system acts like the ________ of a car, whereas the parasympathetic nervous system acts more like a/an ________.

A) brake; radiator
B) spark plug; accelerator
C) accelerator; brake
D) radiator; spark plug

Question 70

How many pairs of cranial nerves enter the brain directly?

A) 43
B) 12
C) 86
D) 31

Question 71

Which of the following is NOT a part of the peripheral nervous system?

A) the somatic nervous system, which includes nerves connected to sensory organs and skeletal muscles
B) motor nerves, which carry orders from the central nervous system to the muscles, glands, and internal organs
C) sensory nerves, which carry information to the brain and spinal cord from the skin, muscles, and internal and external sense organs
D) the emotional nervous system, which regulates responses of the body to stress

Question 72

The sympathetic nervous system acts like the ________ of a car.

A) radiator
B) brake
C) spark plug
D) accelerator

Question 73

When your sympathetic nervous system is activated:

A) your body prepares for fighting or fleeing.
B) you begin to produce large amounts of saliva.
C) you tend to calm down.
D) you begin to digest your food.

Question 74

Sympathetic nervous system activation stimulates:

A) ejaculation in males.
B) secretion of tears.
C) salivation.
D) constriction of the bronchial tubes.

Question 75

How many pairs of spinal nerves enter the spinal cord at the spaces between the vertebrae of the spine?

A) 86
B) 43
C) 31
D) 12

Question 76

________ occurs when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated.

A) Acceleration of the heartbeat
B) Constriction of the pupils
C) Relaxation of the bladder wall
D) Increased epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion

Question 77

The parasympathetic nervous system acts like the ________ of a car.

A) spark plug
B) brake
C) accelerator
D) radiator

Question 78

The autonomic nervous system is:

A) a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system.
B) a subdivision of the central nervous system.
C) responsible for voluntary muscle action.
D) part of the skeletal nervous system.

Question 79

Which of the following occurs when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated?

A) Ejaculation in males is stimulated.
B) Sweat glands are strongly stimulated.
C) Urine volume is decreased.
D) Salivation is strongly stimulated.

Question 80

The peripheral nervous system consists of how many pairs of nerves?

A) 86
B) 12
C) 31
D) 43