Question 1

Arachnoid granulations are knoblike projections that protrude superiorly through the __________ mater to absorb cerebrospinal fluid into venous blood.

Accepted Answer

Arachnoid granulations, also known as arachnoid villi, are structures that protrude through the dura mater. They are involved in the absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the venous blood system.

Question 2

Which of the following structures is probably NOT directly involved in memory?

Accepted Answer

The medulla oblongata is primarily involved in regulating autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate, and is not directly associated with memory processing. The hippocampus, thalamus, and prefrontal cortex are all areas of the brain that have been shown to be involved in various aspects of memory.

Question 3

Degeneration of the dopamine-releasing neurons of the _________is the ultimate cause of Parkinson's disease.

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, which is located in the midbrain. The loss of these neurons leads to a shortage of dopamine in the brain and affects movement control.

Question 4

The area of the cortex that is responsible for sensing a full bladder and the feeling that your lungs will burst when you hold your breath too long is the _________.

Accepted Answer

The visceral sensory area, located in the parietal lobe, is responsible for processing sensory information related to the internal organs such as the bladder and lungs. This includes sensing a full bladder and the feeling of breathlessness when holding one's breath for too long. The olfactory cortex is responsible for processing information related to smell, the gustatory cortex for taste, and the vestibular cortex for balance and spatial orientation.

Question 5

Emotional memory_________ .

Accepted Answer

Emotional memory involves remembering events or experiences that produce strong emotional responses, such as fear, anger, or joy. The pounding heart experienced when hearing a rattlesnake is an example of emotional memory. Options A, B, and C refer to different types of memory but not specifically emotional memory.

Question 6

White matter is found in all of the following locations EXCEPT the_________ .

Accepted Answer

White matter is not found in the cerebral cortex, which is primarily composed of gray matter (neuronal cell bodies).

Question 7

Interneurons receiving input from sensory neurons are located in the _________.

Accepted Answer

The dorsal (posterior) horn of the spinal cord is where the cell bodies of interneurons that receive input from sensory neurons are located. The lateral horn contains autonomic motor neurons, the dorsal root ganglion contains the cell bodies of sensory neurons, and the ventral (anterior) horn contains motor neurons that send signals to skeletal muscles.

Question 8

What connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

The infundibulum is a stalk-like structure that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. This connection is essential for the regulation of hormone secretion from the pituitary gland, as the hypothalamus produces releasing and inhibiting hormones that travel down the infundibulum and stimulate or suppress hormone production in the pituitary gland.

Question 9

Second-order neurons of ascending pathways that contribute to sensory perception terminate in the_________ .

Accepted Answer

Second-order neurons of ascending pathways that contribute to sensory perception typically synapse in the thalamus. The thalamus then relays the sensory information to the appropriate cortical regions, such as the somatosensory cortex, for further processing and perception. The medulla and spinal cord are important for transmitting sensory information to the brain but do not play a significant role in sensory perception.

Question 10

Which of the following is the mildest consequence of traumatic brain injury?

Accepted Answer

A concussion is considered the mildest consequence of traumatic brain injury. It involves a temporary loss of awareness or consciousness due to a blow to the head. Hemorrhage, swelling, and contusion are all more severe consequences of traumatic brain injury.

Question 11

Injury to the hypothalamus may result in all of the following EXCEPT_________ .

Accepted Answer

Injury to the hypothalamus may result in sleep disturbances, loss of body temperature control, and dehydration. However, it is not associated with loss of fine motor control as this is a function of the motor cortex.

Question 12

Which statement about epilepsy is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Epilepsy can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition, head trauma, stroke, infection, and tumor. It is not solely caused by genetics or trauma.

Note: B is incorrect as the aura typically occurs before the seizure, not after regaining consciousness. C is incorrect as both sensory messages and responses may be affected during seizures, depending on the type of seizure. D is incorrect as absence seizures typically begin in childhood and are often less severe than other types of seizures.

Question 13

Loss of ability to perform skilled motor activities such as piano playing, with no paralysis or weakness in specific muscles, might suggest damage to the __________.

Accepted Answer

The premotor cortex is responsible for planning and coordinating skilled movements, and damage to this area could result in a loss of ability to perform those activities even if there is no paralysis or weakness in specific muscles. The other options listed (rubrospinal tracts, spinal cord, and primary motor cortex) are also involved in motor control, but would not specifically cause a loss of skilled movements without accompanying muscle weakness or paralysis.

Question 14

Which of the following is (are) involved with motor activity (either initiation or coordination)?

Accepted Answer

The red nuclei are involved in motor activity, specifically in the initiation and coordination of movements. The other options listed are not primarily involved in motor function. The postcentral gyrus is responsible for processing somatosensory information, the gustatory cortex for processing taste, and Wernicke's area for language comprehension.

Question 15

While sleep requirements vary, most adults need_________ hours of sleep for optimal health and function.

Accepted Answer

According to the statement, "most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep for optimal health and function." Therefore, the best choice is C. Options A, B, and D are not supported by the statement.

Question 16

Which statement about coma is true?

Accepted Answer

Coma can be caused by various factors including traumatic brain injury that affects either the cerebral hemispheres or brainstem. Therefore, statement B is true.

A) During coma, brain oxygen consumption is reduced compared to a waking state, not resembling it. Hence, statement A is false. 
C) Coma and syncope are distinct neurological conditions. Coma involves a prolonged state of unconciousness, whereas syncope is a brief loss of conciousness due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. Hence, statement C is false. 
D) Coma is not equivalent to deep sleep. During sleep, some parts of the brain remain active, and the person can be awakened by external stimuli. In a state of coma, the person does not respond to any stimuli. Hence, statement D is false.

Question 17

A patient suffering from memory loss, shortened attention span, disorientation, and eventual language loss is most likely suffering from_________ .

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are classic signs of Alzheimer's disease, a neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Parkinson's disease primarily affects movement, cerebellar disease results in coordination and balance problems, and Huntington's disease involves involuntary movements and cognitive decline.

Question 18

Which brain waves are uncommon for awake adults, but are common for children?

Accepted Answer

Theta waves are common for children but uncommon for awake adults. Theta waves are associated with deep meditation, relaxation, and sleep in adults. However, theta waves are commonly observed in children during activities such as daydreaming or when they are in a state of drowsiness.

Question 19

Important nuclei of the indirect (multineuronal) system that receive impulses from the equilibrium apparatus of the inner ear and help to maintain balance by varying muscle tone of postural muscles are the _________.

Accepted Answer

The nuclei that receive impulses from the equilibrium apparatus of the inner ear and help to maintain balance by varying muscle tone of postural muscles are the vestibular nuclei.

Question 20

The large commissure that connects the right and left sides of the brain is called the _________.

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a large band of nerve fibers that connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain. It allows for communication and integration of information between the two sides. The longitudinal fissure is a groove that separates the hemispheres, the corona radiata is a fan-like structure made up of nerve fibers that connect the cortex to the rest of the brain, and the internal capsule is a group of nerve fibers that connect different regions within the same hemisphere. None of these structures connect the two hemispheres like the corpus callosum.

Quiz 12: The Central Nervous System