Question 1

When Dirk was stung by a bee, the pain message was transmitted to his spinal cord by the ________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The peripheral nervous system is responsible for transmitting sensory information such as pain messages to the spinal cord. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system, which control involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion, and are not directly involved in transmitting pain signals. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, but does not include the nerves that transmit pain messages to the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is responsible for transmitting sensory information, like pain from a bee sting, from the body to the central nervous system (including the spinal cord). The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are branches of the autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious bodily functions like heart rate and digestion. It is not directly involved in transmitting pain signals. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, but in this case, only the spinal cord is relevant.

Question 2

Which brain structure is of central importance for control of your heartbeat and breathing?

Accepted Answer

The medulla is a structure in the brainstem that plays a crucial role in controlling autonomic functions such as heart rate and breathing. The medulla is responsible for controlling vital functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure. The other options are not directly related to these functions.

Question 3

To trigger a person's hand to make a fist, José Delgado stimulated the individual's

Accepted Answer

The motor cortex is responsible for controlling voluntary movements in the body, including the movement of hands and fingers to make a fist. Therefore, stimulating the motor cortex would be the most effective way to trigger the individual's hand to make a fist.

Question 4

When Jenny saw that a large barking dog was enclosed by a very high fence, her racing heartbeat began to slow. The slowed heartbeat was most directly regulated by her

Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for slowing down the body's physiological responses, including heart rate, in response to a decrease in perceived threat or danger.

Question 5

Which region of the human brain best distinguishes us from other animals?

Accepted Answer

The cerebral cortex is the region of the brain that is most highly developed in humans compared to other animals. It is responsible for advanced cognitive processes such as decision-making, language, and problem-solving. While other animals may have smaller or less complex versions of the cerebral cortex, it is the human cortex that truly sets us apart in terms of intellectual capabilities.

Question 6

When the transmission of ACh is blocked, the result is

Accepted Answer

ACh (acetylcholine) is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for transmitting signals between motor neurons and skeletal muscles. When the transmission of ACh is blocked, the muscles are unable to contract, leading to muscular paralysis. This is observed in conditions like myasthenia gravis and botulism, where ACh inhibition causes muscle weakness and paralysis. When the transmission of ACh is blocked, it prevents the communication between the nerves and muscles, resulting in muscular paralysis.

Question 7

The spinal cord is part of the ________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes all the nerves that extend outside of the brain and spinal cord, while the autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system are subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system. The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system, which also includes the brain. The peripheral nervous system includes the nerves that extend from the spinal cord and brain to the rest of the body, while the autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system are subdivisions within the peripheral nervous system.

Question 8

When Stoyka was a child, a brain disease required the surgical removal of her left cerebral hemisphere. Stoyka is now a successful college student who lives a normal life. Her success best illustrates the importance of

Accepted Answer

Stoyka's success despite having one cerebral hemisphere removed suggests that her brain was able to adapt and reorganize its functions, which is an example of plasticity. This ability of the brain to change and adapt to new situations and experiences is crucial for recovery from brain damage or injury. The other choices (A, B, and C) are not as directly related to Stoyka's situation. Cognitive neural prosthetics involve the use of devices or implants to enhance cognitive function, which is not applicable in this case. Reuptake is a process involving the reabsorption of neurotransmitters, which is not directly relevant either. Phrenology, an outdated theory proposing that personality traits can be determined by the shape of the skull, is not applicable here either.

Question 9

The thin surface layer of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebrum is called the

Accepted Answer

The thin surface layer of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex.

Question 10

Which neural center in the limbic system plays a central role in emotions such as aggression and fear?

Accepted Answer

The amygdala plays a central role in processing emotions such as aggression and fear. It is part of the limbic system, which is responsible for regulating emotions, motivation, and memory. The amygdala is involved in the fight-or-flight response and helps us to perceive and react to potential threats. The amygdala, located in the limbic system, plays a central role in emotions such as aggression and fear. It is responsible for detecting and responding to potential threats and can trigger the fight or flight response.

Question 11

When Mr. Valdez thought his 1-year-old daughter had fallen down the stairs, his heartbeat accelerated, his blood pressure rose, and he began to perspire heavily. Mr. Valdez's state of arousal was activated by his ________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's fight or flight response, which includes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating. In this scenario, Mr. Valdez's arousal is likely due to the activation of his sympathetic nervous system in response to the perceived danger of his daughter falling down the stairs. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for calming the body down after a stressful event, while the somatic and central nervous systems are not directly involved in the body's physiological response to stress. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's fight or flight response, which includes increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, and heavy perspiration. These physiological changes prepare the body for action in response to a perceived threat or stressor, as in Mr. Valdez's situation. The parasympathetic nervous system, in contrast, is responsible for the body's rest and digest response and does not produce these same physiological changes. The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements, and the central nervous system refers to the brain and spinal cord.

Question 12

What will most likely happen as a neurosurgeon sedates the entire right cerebral hemisphere of a right-handed patient who is asked to count aloud with both arms extended upward?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What will most likely happen as a...

Question 13

Visual information processing in the temporal lobe of deaf people whose native language is sign best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences and stimuli. In the case of deaf individuals who use sign language, the temporal lobe, which is traditionally associated with auditory processing, may adapt to process visual information from sign language instead. This is an example of brain plasticity.

Question 14

To monitor the sequence of activity in different regions of the brain, researchers are most likely to make use of a(n)

Accepted Answer

To monitor the sequence of activity in different regions of the brain, researchers are most likely to make use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This non-invasive technique can detect changes in blood flow and oxygenation levels in the brain, which are indicative of neural activity. Brain lesions are typically used to study the effects of brain damage or injury, while a hemispherectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of half of the brain. Electroencephalography (EEG) can also be used to study brain activity, but it is better suited for measuring electrical activity in the brain rather than the sequence of activity in different regions.

Question 15

The tremors of Parkinson's disease result from the death of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter

Accepted Answer

The tremors of Parkinson's disease are caused by the death of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. The loss of dopamine affects the control of movement, leading to tremors, muscle rigidity, and other symptoms. The tremors of Parkinson's disease are caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain, which is due to the death of dopamine-producing nerve cells. ACh, serotonin, and GABA are neurotransmitters that are not directly involved in the development of Parkinson's disease.

Question 16

Which nerve network in the brainstem plays an important role in controlling arousal?

Accepted Answer

The reticular formation, located in the brainstem, plays a crucial role in regulating arousal and maintaining wakefulness. It receives input from sensory systems and sends output to the cortex and other parts of the brain, influencing levels of attention, alertness, and consciousness. The reticular formation is a nerve network in the brainstem that plays a crucial role in regulating arousal and wakefulness by integrating sensory information and sending signals to other parts of the brain. It also has a role in controlling attention, motor functions, and autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate. The other options (B, C, D) are not primarily involved in controlling arousal. The hypothalamus is more involved in regulating physiological functions such as hunger, thirst, and temperature. The cerebellum is involved in motor coordination and learning, and the medulla is involved in regulating vital physiological functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Question 17

The sympathetic nervous system

Accepted Answer

The answer of The sympathetic nervous system
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Question 18

The slowdown of neural communication in multiple sclerosis involves a degeneration of the

Accepted Answer

The slowdown of neural communication in multiple sclerosis involves the degeneration of the myelin sheath, a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers, allowing for efficient transmission of nerve impulses. In multiple sclerosis, the myelin sheath is attacked by the immune system, leading to a disruption of neural communication and a variety of symptoms.

Question 19

Transferring messages from a motor neuron to a leg muscle requires the neurotransmitter known as

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for transmitting messages between motor neurons and muscle cells. It is the only choice that fits this description. Dopamine and epinephrine are neurotransmitters involved in the brain, while insulin is a hormone involved in regulating blood sugar. The neurotransmitter responsible for transmitting messages from a motor neuron to a muscle is acetylcholine. It is released from the motor neuron and binds to receptors on the muscle, causing a contraction to occur. Dopamine and epinephrine are both neurotransmitters, but they are not responsible for motor neuron to muscle transmission. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and is not involved in neurotransmission.

Question 20

The thalamus serves as a

Accepted Answer

The thalamus is responsible for receiving and relaying sensory information to different parts of the brain. It acts as a sensory switchboard, directing incoming auditory, visual, tactile, and gustatory signals to the appropriate brain regions for processing. The other options, such as memory and reward, are controlled by different structures in the brain. The thalamus is not a master gland, as that refers to the endocrine system and hormone regulation. The thalamus is a sensory switchboard that receives information from all the senses (except for smell) and redirects it to the appropriate areas of the brain for processing. It does not serve as a memory bank, reward center, or master gland.

Quiz 2: Neuroscience and Behavior