Question 1

In vertebrates,this part of the brain varies in size and complexity,accounting for differences in computational and processing ability among major groups.

Accepted Answer

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as thought, sensory perception, and voluntary muscle movement. The size and complexity of the cerebrum vary among vertebrate groups, accounting for differences in computational and processing ability.

Question 2

Having fewer dopamine receptors is associated with _______.

Accepted Answer

Having fewer dopamine receptors is associated with both chronic abuse of many drugs and longer times to complete a straight-line walking test.

Question 3

The immediate effect of elevated dopamine levels is _______,whereas the chronic effect is _______.

Accepted Answer

Elevated dopamine levels initially lead to feelings of euphoria and pleasure. However, with chronic exposure to high levels of dopamine, the brain responds by reducing the number of active dopamine receptors in order to maintain balance. This can lead to a reduced ability to experience pleasure and a range of other negative symptoms, such as addiction and Parkinson's disease.

Question 4

A head injury that affected your ability to process sound and language would be located in your _______.

Accepted Answer

The temporal lobe is responsible for processing sound and language, so a head injury affecting this ability would be located in this area. The left hemisphere also plays a crucial role in language processing, but a specific mention of sound processing points more towards the temporal lobe.

Question 5

Damage to the parietal lobe would interfere with _______.

Accepted Answer

The parietal lobe is primarily responsible for processing sensory information and spatial orientation, and damage to it can interfere with speech, particularly aspects related to language comprehension and production.

Question 6

The first organisms thought to have evolved a primitive brain in conjunction with a peripheral nervous system are _______.

Accepted Answer

Flatworms, specifically the genus planaria, are the first organisms thought to have evolved a primitive brain in conjunction with a peripheral nervous system. They have a distributed nervous system with two nerve cords running along the length of their body and a centralized brain that allows for basic processing of sensory information.

Question 7

Based on what you have learned about withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to drugs like nicotine,it should not be surprising if you found that a person who was not addicted but instead was prone to depression had _______.

Accepted Answer

Withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to drugs like nicotine involve changes in dopamine receptors in the brain. People prone to depression may also have fewer dopamine receptors than average, as depression has been linked to a decrease in dopamine activity in the brain.

Question 8

Methamphetamine abuse is associated with reduced dopamine receptors and impaired short-term memory.Regarding memory loss,it is likely that the drug is affecting the _______.

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is responsible for memory processing and consolidation. Methamphetamine abuse can affect the limbic system by reducing dopamine receptors, which are involved in reward and motivation, and impairing short-term memory.

Question 9

Dopamine receptor reduction in response to chronic drug abuse _______.

Accepted Answer

Dopamine receptor reduction in response to chronic drug abuse is known to be one of the main causes of withdrawal symptoms, and it is also generally reversible after stopping use of the drug. However, it is not associated with extended feelings of euphoria, so answer C is incorrect.

Quiz 30: Central Nervous System