Question 1

Functional connectivity is a measure of functional relatedness between different

Accepted Answer

Functional connectivity refers to the degree of interaction or relatedness between different brain regions, which can be measured using functional neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI. The other options (stimuli, neurons, and methods) are not directly related to functional connectivity measures.

Question 2

When performing a single-cell recording, researchers typically carefully insert a thin electrode through the cell membrane into the interior of a neuron.

Accepted Answer

In single-cell recording, the electrode is typically positioned near the cell to record its activity without penetrating the cell membrane, to avoid damaging the cell.

Question 3

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is based on a measurement of

Accepted Answer

fMRI measures the ratio of oxygenated to deoxygenated hemoglobin in the brain. Areas of the brain that are more active require more oxygen, so they have a higher ratio of oxygenated to deoxygenated hemoglobin. This allows researchers to identify which areas of the brain are being used during certain tasks.

Question 4

The greatest advantage of incorporating computer modeling into the study of a cognitive phenomenon is that

Accepted Answer

Computer modeling allows researchers to create explicit, testable theories of natural cognition, which can be validated through simulations and experimentation. This approach enables researchers to develop a better understanding of cognitive processes and their underlying mechanisms without the need for human testing. While computers can analyze large amounts of data, this is not the primary advantage of incorporating computer modeling into cognitive research. The use of computer modeling also does not necessarily demonstrate the limitations of information processing in natural cognition, although it can provide insights into the computational capabilities of the brain.

Question 5

Neural network models often

Accepted Answer

Neural network models often have distributed processing, which means information is processed in parallel across multiple nodes or units rather than being stored discretely in isolated and independent units. Neural networks also typically have dynamic activation levels and are not symbolic in nature.

Question 6

Which of the following can be done by combining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and cannot be done by using only one of these methodologies?

Accepted Answer

Combining fMRI and TMS allows investigators to test causal inferences of neural function, which cannot be done by using only one of these methodologies. fMRI measures changes in blood flow that are associated with neural activity, but it cannot establish causality. TMS can cause a temporary disruption of neural activity in a specific area, allowing investigators to infer causation. Combining the two methods provides a way to establish a causal relationship between neural activity and behavior. The other options (A, C, and D) can be achieved using either fMRI or TMS alone.

Question 7

Research using ________ models sometimes involves "lesioning" the model to see if it adequately simulates the behavioral deficits observed in neurological patients.

Accepted Answer

Lesioning a model to observe behavioral deficits is a common practice in neural network models which simulate the functioning of the brain. The other options do not involve the use of neural networks or "lesioning" models.

Question 8

Computational models can vary widely in the level of explanation they seek to provide, and they can range from the cellular/molecular level to the systems level.

Accepted Answer

Computational models can indeed vary widely in the level of explanation they seek to provide, and can range from the cellular/molecular level to the systems level.

Question 9

What is the Stroop effect? Describe a principle of cognition that the task's results reveal.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the Stroop effect? Describe a...

Question 10

The Sternberg experiment showed that the amount of time it takes to compare a target item with a list of items in memory increases with the number of items in the memory set. This is an example of parallel processing.

Accepted Answer

The Sternberg experiment demonstrated serial processing, where each item in the memory set had to be compared one at a time with the target item. As the size of the memory set increased, the time to complete the comparison increased linearly.

Question 11

The best neuroimaging method for visualizing the white and gray matter is computerized tomography (CT).

Accepted Answer

The best neuroimaging method for visualizing the white and gray matter is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT is better suited for detecting abnormalities in the bones and blood vessels of the brain.

Question 12

Some progressive neurological disorders can be caused by viruses like the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the herpes simplex virus.

Accepted Answer

It is true that some progressive neurological disorders can be caused by viruses like the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the herpes simplex virus. Examples of such disorders include HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND) and herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE).

Question 13

The most frequent cause of stroke is occlusion of the normal passage of blood by a foreign substance, such as an embolus.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. According to the American Stroke Association, the majority of strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel in the brain, which can be caused by an embolus (a foreign substance such as a blood clot, air bubble, or fat deposit). This is known as an ischemic stroke.

Question 14

________ is the science of simulating natural cognitive processes on computers.

Accepted Answer

Artificial intelligence is the science of simulating natural cognitive processes on computers. It involves developing algorithms and computer programs that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and language understanding.

Question 15

Which of the following methods would best reveal an integrative perspective of the brain and its functionality?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following methods would best...

Question 16

The term tonotopic refers to the fact that the cochlea and the auditory cortex contain maps that are organized according to the sound frequencies that best stimulate the cells.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Tonotopic organization refers to the spatial arrangement of cells in the cochlea and auditory cortex that corresponds to different sound frequencies.

Question 17

Weaver mice are a knockout strain in which Purkinje cells, the prominent cell type in the hippocampus, fail to develop. As a result, these mice are "maze dull."

Accepted Answer

Purkinje cells are not a prominent cell type in the hippocampus, they are actually found in the cerebellum. The weaver mouse strain has a defect in the development of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, which affects motor coordination and balance, but not maze performance.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of computer modeling?

Accepted Answer

There is no such advantage of computer modeling where models have homunculus-like teachers, just like those of biological organisms. This statement is also not clear in its meaning as it is not related to any of the advantages of computer modeling.

Question 19

The model of Kali and Dayan predicted that the maintenance of memories over time would

Accepted Answer

The Kali and Dayan model predicts that the maintenance of memories over time depends on the reactivation of hippocampal-neocortical connections. This contrasts with the formation of new memories, which is thought to depend on the formation of thalamo-neocortical connections. Therefore, option B is the correct choice.

Question 20

What is a mental representation? How are mental representations transformed? Give an example to support each of your two answers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a mental representation? How are...

Quiz 3: Methods of Cognitive Neuroscience