Question 1

On which task do human 2  -year-olds outstrip chimpanzees and orangutans?

Accepted Answer

Human 2-year-olds outstrip chimpanzees and orangutans in the task of pointing.

Question 2

Which is the primary difference between the brain of Tarik, a 2-year-old, and Jim, his father?

Accepted Answer

The primary difference between the brain of Tarik, a 2-year-old, and Jim, his father, is that Tarik's brain is about 75 percent of the size of Jim's. This is due to the natural process of brain development and growth that occurs throughout childhood and adolescence.

Question 3

The long band of nerve fibers that connects the brain's hemispheres is _____.

Accepted Answer

The long band of nerve fibers that connects the brain's hemispheres is known as the corpus callosum. Myelination refers to the process of coating nerve fibers with a fatty substance for insulation, the prefrontal cortex is a specific region of the brain that plays a role in decision-making and social behavior, and the term "axon cord" is not a commonly used or recognized term in neuroscience.

Question 4

Myelination is important because it _____.

Accepted Answer

Myelination is the process by which nerve cells are covered with a fatty substance called myelin, which helps to insulate and accelerate the transmission of neural impulses. Faster neural transmission is important for efficient functioning of the nervous system, including processes like learning, movement, and sensory perception.

Question 5

Researchers had 4-year-old children sort picture cards by shape and then asked the children to sort the same cards by color. They found that children under the age of 4 had difficulty changing to a new sorting pattern. This outcome illustrates the 4-year-old's tendency for_____.

Accepted Answer

Perseveration refers to the tendency to continue using a previous rule or strategy when faced with a new problem or task, even when that rule or strategy is no longer appropriate. The fact that children under the age of 4 had difficulty changing their sorting pattern indicates that they were perseverating on the previous shape-based rule and had difficulty shifting to a new color-based rule.

Question 6

Kayla is 4 years old and has recently begun coordinating the two sides of her body more efficiently. This improvement can be attributed to _____.

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain and allows for communication between them. As it grows and develops, it enables more efficient coordination between the two sides of the body. Choice B is incorrect because limb length has no direct relationship to coordination, and choice C is incorrect because lateralization refers to the specialization of each hemisphere for certain functions, not coordination. Adequate calcium in the diet may be important for overall health but is not directly related to coordination.

Question 7

Which of the following people are most likely to have a thicker corpus callosum?

Accepted Answer

Left-handed people are more likely to have a thicker corpus callosum, which is the part of the brain that connects the two hemispheres, facilitating better communication between them.

Question 8

According to your text, some researchers believe autism may be due to _____.

Accepted Answer

The text states that "some researchers believe that autism may be due to abnormal development of the corpus callosum."

Question 9

During a long car trip, Anna and Robert asked "Are we there yet?" so many times that their mother began covering her ears. Her children were exhibiting _____.

Accepted Answer

Perseveration is the repetition of the same question or behavior, despite being told the answer or being asked to stop. This is seen in Anna and Robert's continuous question of "Are we there yet?" during a long car trip.

Question 10

Elise is beginning to learn how to write. She can hold a pencil in one hand and steady the paper with her other hand. This new ability to coordinate the duties of her right and left hands is likely due to _____.

Accepted Answer

The growth of the corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing for better communication and coordination between them, which is necessary for tasks such as holding a pencil and paper steady with separate hands. Legs growing longer (B) and adequate calcium in the diet (D) are not directly related to fine motor coordination. Lateralization (C) is more involved with specialization of different functions in each hemisphere, rather than coordination between the two.

Question 11

Kirsten, a 4-year-old, is playing with her building blocks. Her mother announces that they have to leave to pick up Kirsten's sister. Kirsten launches into a tantrum. What is the explanation for Kirsten's reaction?

Accepted Answer

Four-year-olds often have difficulty transitioning from one activity to another, especially if they are deeply engaged, which is known as perseveration.

Question 12

JongHyun is able to play "Go Fish," a card game that requires quick thinking. What brain change most directly supports his ability to think quickly?

Accepted Answer

Myelination, the process of forming a myelin sheath around the nerves, increases the speed at which impulses propagate along the myelinated fibers. This directly contributes to quicker thinking and processing speeds, which would support JongHyun's ability to play "Go Fish" effectively.

Question 13

Which statement about oral health is true?

Accepted Answer

It is vital for children in early childhood to brush their teeth every day. This is because their teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay and cavities at this age, and brushing helps remove bacteria and food particles that can harm their teeth. Option A is not true, as children should start brushing their teeth as soon as they have teeth. Option B is also not true, as many young children in the US have not been to the dentist. Option C is not true, as all types of soda, including diet soda, can damage teeth and should be consumed in moderation.

Question 14

The ability to play "Simon Says" successfully appears to be directly related to the development of the _____ cortex.

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions such as attention, working memory, and decision making, plays a crucial role in successful performance in tasks such as "Simon Says".

Question 15

A 2-year-old human's brain is _____ percent of the adult brain's weight.

Accepted Answer

A 2-year-old human's brain is approximately 75% of the adult brain's weight. This is because the brain grows rapidly during the first two years of life, and continues to develop until adulthood.

Question 16

The process through which axons become coated with a fatty substance that speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses is called _____.

Accepted Answer

Myelination is the process through which axons become coated with a fatty substance called myelin. This myelin sheath speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses. Option B, action potential, refers to the electrical signal that travels down the axon of a neuron, while option C, transmission, can refer to the process of sending signals between neurons but does not specifically relate to myelination. Option D, perseveration, refers to the tendency to repeat a behavior despite it no longer being effective or necessary and is not related to myelination.

Question 17

The ability to generate several thoughts in rapid succession is most specifically related to _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ability to generate several thoughts in...

Question 18

A disorder that research has suggested may result from abnormal development of the corpus callosum is _____.

Accepted Answer

Research has found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder often have abnormalities in the structure and connectivity of the corpus callosum, which is responsible for communication between the two hemispheres of the brain.

Question 19

Regis, a 6-year-old, can correctly name objects, catch a ball and throw it, and write his ABCs in proper sequence. His younger brother, Mark, is much less speedy and skillful in all of these areas. What is the explanation for Regis's superior performance?

Accepted Answer

Myelination is the process of forming a myelin sheath around a nerve to allow nerve impulses to move more quickly and efficiently. This process occurs more rapidly in some children than in others, which may explain why Regis is able to perform certain tasks more quickly and skillfully than his younger brother.

Question 20

Megyn is a 3-year-old who is working on a craft project at preschool. She has to be repeatedly reminded to sit still, to continue working on the craft, and to stop interfering with her classmate's work. What is the most likely explanation for Megyn's behavior?

Accepted Answer

It is developmentally appropriate for a 3-year-old to have limited impulse control and difficulty sitting still for extended periods of time. Megyn's behavior is normal for her age and does not necessarily indicate a deeper problem like a personality disorder or immaturity.

Quiz 8: Early Childhood: Biosocial Development

On which task do human 2 -year-olds outstrip chimpanzees and orangutans?