Question 1

Regarding neurotransmitters, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Too much acetylcholine has not been shown to cause schizophrenia, but rather there may be an imbalance of several neurotransmitters involved in the disorder.

Question 2

The central nervous system is composed of the autonomic and somatic systems.

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, which are responsible for processing and transmitting information. The autonomic and somatic systems are subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system, which connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Question 3

A healthy 75-year-old brain has just as many neurons as it did when it was a healthy 25-year-old brain.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the number of neurons in the brain remains relatively stable throughout adulthood, with very minimal loss. However, other factors such as the health of the neurons and the strength of the connections between them can affect brain function.

Question 4

The paralyzing effect of curare is caused by its ability to block the action of acetylcholine at neuron-muscle synapses.

Accepted Answer

Curare works by blocking the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, preventing nerve impulses from triggering muscle contractions, which leads to paralysis.

Question 5

Having a deficiency in serotonin can lead to

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood, among other functions. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression. A deficiency in serotonin is not linked to the development of multiple sclerosis, neuron death or Parkinson's disease.

Question 6

When you give directions and point down the street, the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls this voluntary movement of your finger is the __________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When you give directions and point down...

Question 7

The brain and spinal cord make up the __________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The brain and spinal cord make up...

Question 8

Regarding brain cells regeneration and repair, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The statement that the number of brain cells a person has decreases as they age is not entirely accurate. While it's true that certain brain cells can die over time, the brain also has the ability to generate new cells (neurogenesis) in specific areas, such as the hippocampus, throughout life. Additionally, the brain's plasticity allows for the reorganization and formation of new connections, compensating for lost cells and maintaining functionality.

Question 9

Repeatedly practicing word pronunciations promotes which of the following processes in the damaged part of the brain?

Accepted Answer

Neurogenesis refers to the process of generating new neurons in the brain, which can be stimulated by various activities, including learning and practicing new skills such as word pronunciations. This process can help in the recovery of the damaged parts of the brain by forming new neural connections.

Question 10

Bobby suffered a stroke that damaged his brain, causing partial paralysis in his left arm. To increase the rate of neurogenesis in the damaged part of his brain and speed his recovery, Bobby should

Accepted Answer

Forcing himself to use his left arm instead of his right arm can help in the process known as "neuroplasticity," where the brain adapts to injuries by reorganizing and forming new neural connections. This practice can potentially increase neurogenesis in the damaged area and speed up recovery.

Question 11

Studies in which patients underwent cognitive behavioral therapy for phobias produced improvements in their behaviors and also changed the patients' brain activity.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for phobias has been shown to not only improve behaviors by helping patients manage their fears but also to induce changes in brain activity, as evidenced by neuroimaging studies. These changes reflect the brain's adaptability and the effectiveness of CBT in altering neural pathways associated with fear and anxiety.

Question 12

Fallon has been diagnosed with a major depression. She is most likely deficient in which neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood, and low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression.

Question 13

Nico and Brooke are teenagers who had a large portion of their brains removed as infants. Today they are functioning well because over the years their brains have compensated for their losses through a process called

Accepted Answer

Neuroplasticity is the process by which the brain recruits and rewires undamaged neural pathways to compensate for lost or damaged ones. In the case of Nico and Brooke, this process has allowed them to function well despite having had a large portion of their brains removed as infants. Lateralization refers to the division of labor between the brain's hemispheres, saltatory connection refers to the rapid conduction of nerve impulses along myelinated axons, and deep lesioning is a surgical procedure that involves removing or destroying specific areas of the brain. While these processes may be related to brain function and/or injury, neuroplasticity is the best choice to explain Nico and Brooke's functioning.

Question 14

The usual flow of information in a reflex arc is

Accepted Answer

The usual flow of information in a reflex arc starts with a sensory neuron that detects a stimulus. This information is then relayed to an interneuron (also known as a connector neuron) in the spinal cord or brain, which processes the information and decides the appropriate response. Finally, the interneuron sends a signal to a motor neuron, which activates the muscles or glands to respond to the initial stimulus. This pathway (sensory neuron to interneuron to motor neuron) is essential for quick reflex actions that do not require direct involvement of the brain.

Question 15

During an action potential, the axon's ion channels pop open to allow chlorine ions to rush into the axon.

Accepted Answer

During an action potential, the axon's ion channels do not allow chlorine ions to rush into the axon. Instead, the ion channels open to allow sodium ions to flow into the axon, while potassium ions flow out.

Question 16

A barefoot child steps on a bee, then jerks his or her foot back in response to the sting. This response has likely involved all parts of the nervous system EXCEPT the brain.

Accepted Answer

The reflex action that causes the child to jerk the foot away from the bee sting is primarily mediated by the spinal cord, not involving the brain in the immediate response.

Question 17

When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, one's salivation, digestion, and production of tears are inhibited.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response, which includes inhibiting non-essential functions such as salivation, digestion, and tear production to prioritize resources for responding to stress or danger.

Question 18

In which condition are the prospects for recovery poor due to the brain damage being extensive as well as a subsequent disease process being triggered that continues to damage the brain long after the original traumas have ended?

Accepted Answer

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a condition associated with repeated head traumas, such as those experienced by athletes in contact sports or by military personnel. The damage from these traumas is extensive and triggers a disease process that continues to damage the brain over time, even after the original traumatic events have ceased. This ongoing brain damage leads to poor recovery prospects for individuals with CTE.

Question 19

According to ________, the repeated activation of synapses between two neurons strengthens the connection between them.

Accepted Answer

Hebb's rule posits that the repeated activation of synapses between two neurons strengthens the connection between them, encapsulated in the phrase "cells that fire together, wire together."

Question 20

The painkilling effect of placebos and acupuncture as well as the "runner's high" and the euphoria associated with childbirth are explained by the release of endorphins.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are natural painkillers that are released by the body in response to certain stimuli, such as exercise, childbirth, and the placebo effect of acupuncture. They produce feelings of euphoria and well-being, which can help to alleviate pain and promote healing.

Quiz 2: Brain and Behavior