Question 1

One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus is:

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis by regulating various bodily functions such as temperature, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms.

Question 2

My girlfriend's dog barks, growls, and bares his teeth at me. His behavior is likely to be a product of the:

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is involved in regulating emotions and behaviors such as aggression, which could explain the dog's aggressive behavior towards you.

Question 3

All of the information that I see, hear, taste, and feel is processed by, and relayed to, the higher brain centers by the:

Accepted Answer

The thalamus is a small structure located at the base of the brain that acts as a relay center for sensory information. It receives sensory information from the body and sends it to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex for processing.

Question 4

A student of mine appears to be unemotional and incapable of memorizing or learning the information for our class. The student also appears to not put any effort into the class. What subcortical area may be damaged?

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is involved in emotion regulation and memory formation. Damage to this area could result in emotional flatness and difficulties with learning and memory.

Question 5

The limbic system is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is involved in emotional reactions, memory, and motivational processes, but sound localization is primarily a function of the auditory system, not the limbic system.

Question 6

The amygdala seems to be important in:

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is a part of the brain involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and threat-related stimuli.

Question 7

There are a number of songs, movies, places, and events that remind me of my first true love. Which subcortical structure is likely to be involved in recall of emotionally significant events?

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is a subcortical structure involved in processing emotions and is crucial for the recall of emotionally significant events.

Question 8

When you study for an exam (i.e., when you try to intentionally store and recall information), you are making use of the:

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is crucial for forming new memories and is involved in the process of learning and memory recall.

Question 9

Which of the following is associated with the basal ganglia?

Accepted Answer

The basal ganglia are associated with motor control and learning, and dysfunction in this area is linked to Parkinson's disease and encephalitis lethargica. While understanding meaning is more related to cortical functions, the basal ganglia can influence cognitive processes indirectly.

Question 10

How thick is the cerebral cortex?

Accepted Answer

The cerebral cortex is typically about 3 mm thick in humans.

Question 11

The cerebral cortex makes up _____ of the brain's mass.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The cerebral cortex makes up _____ of...

Question 12

Which is a function of the cerebral cortex?

Accepted Answer

The cerebral cortex is involved in various complex brain functions, including voluntary movement control, sensory perception, and higher-order cognitive processes like symbolic thinking.

Question 13

Which areas are involved in processing sensory information?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which areas are involved in processing sensory...

Question 14

The semester is almost over and I find myself making a plan for what to do over the break. I find it is a detailed and very intricate process. I have come up with several ideas and plans for the break. It is likely that I have made use of the _____ area.

Accepted Answer

The association area of the brain is involved in complex processes such as planning, decision-making, and integrating information, which aligns with creating detailed and intricate plans.

Question 15

Each different region of the cerebral cortex can be broken into zones or areas. Which of the following is NOT an area of the cerebral cortex?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Each different region of the cerebral cortex...

Question 16

The cerebral cortex is divided into two roughly symmetrical halves called:

Accepted Answer

The cerebral cortex is divided into two roughly symmetrical halves known as the cerebral hemispheres.

Question 17

The two halves of the cerebral cortex are connected by the:

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex, allowing for communication between the two sides.

Question 18

The part of the cerebral cortex that is specialized for vision is the:

Accepted Answer

The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual information.

Question 19

As I watch the sun rise or as I look at a painting, the _____ lobe is the most active.

Accepted Answer

The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for visual processing, making it the most active when observing visual stimuli like a sunrise or a painting.

Question 20

The part of the cerebral cortex that is involved in the sense of touch and feeling one's own body in space is the:

Accepted Answer

The parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information related to touch, temperature, and proprioception, which is the sense of the relative position of one's own body parts.

Quiz 3: Biological Bases of Behavior