Question 1

Sanjay has just started middle school.What will happen to his axons as he progresses toward high school graduation?

Accepted Answer

As Sanjay progresses toward high school graduation, his axons will steadily increase in myelination, which is the process of being covered with myelin, an insulating layer that helps increase the speed and efficiency of electrical signal transmission in the nervous system.

Question 2

What would be the most effective strategy for a school system that wants to improve students' health and academic performance?

Accepted Answer

Offering regular periods of physical activity has been shown to improve both students' health and academic performance. Studies have found that physical activity can increase concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function in students. Additionally, regular exercise can lower rates of obesity and other health problems, improving overall wellbeing. While the other options (providing free breakfast, reducing calories in school lunches, and conducting classes in health and nutrition) could also have positive impacts on students' health, regular physical activity has the broadest range of benefits for both health and academic performance.

Question 3

The "plasticity" of the brain means that it is impervious to harm.

Accepted Answer

The plasticity of the brain refers to its ability to change and adapt, but it is not impervious to harm. Brain damage, injury, and certain diseases can affect brain function and structure.

Question 4

The products for low-T that are advertised on TV are primarily intended to ________.

Accepted Answer

The primary intention behind the advertisement of low-T products on TV is to earn profits for the companies that sell them. While these products may also aim to address health concerns like erectile dysfunction or issues that affect older men, the underlying motive for advertising is to increase sales and profitability.

Question 5

Gayle has been struggling with some symptoms of PMS.What will her doctor likely recommend to help alleviate her symptoms?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Gayle has been struggling with some symptoms...

Question 6

Which of the following accurately reflects men's and women's experiences of sexual maturity as they age?

Accepted Answer

Women tend to have varied emotional responses to sexual maturity and aging, which can include a range of feelings from distress to empowerment, while men generally report lower levels of emotional response to aging. This reflects the complex interplay of societal, psychological, and biological factors that influence how individuals experience sexual maturity and aging.

Question 7

Even though her parents insist that a high school sophomore should be in bed by 9:30 on weeknights,Nadine finds it hard to get to sleep until at least 11:00.This is likely due to an increase in her levels of ________.

Accepted Answer

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. Typically, melatonin production increases in the evening and decreases in the morning, helping to promote sleep at night. Nadine's difficulty in falling asleep until 11:00 may be due to a delay in the release of melatonin, which could be influenced by factors such as exposure to light (e.g. from electronic devices) and changes in sleep schedules. The other options - telomeres, estrogen, and free radicals - are not directly related to the regulation of sleep.

Question 8

A human cell that has reached its Hayflick limit has divided how many times?

Accepted Answer

The Hayflick limit is the number of times a normal human cell population will divide before ceasing to divide further. The limit was originally approximated to be around 50-70 times, but later studies have shown that it can vary depending on the cell type. The most commonly cited number is around 55 divisions. Therefore, the correct answer is B) 55.

Question 9

Henry is hosting a life-extending dinner party for his friends.Which of the following should Henry NOT serve at the meal?

Accepted Answer

Steak should not be served if the goal is life extension, as red and processed meats have been linked to various health issues, including heart disease and cancer, which can negatively impact longevity. In contrast, red wine (in moderation), spinach, and blueberries are associated with health benefits that could contribute to life extension.

Question 10

By eating less,Hamid believes he can live longer because his body will metabolize less food and decrease production of ________.

Accepted Answer

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and tissues in the body, leading to aging and disease. By consuming less food, the body produces fewer free radicals during metabolism, which can potentially prolong lifespan. Telomerase, antioxidants, and enzymes are not directly affected by caloric intake.

Question 11

Now that he's preparing to graduate from college,Jason looks back at some of the knucklehead things he did in high school and is shocked that he made it out of those days in one piece.The end of his daredevil antics can be attributed to maturation of the ________.

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functioning, decision-making, and impulse control, which are crucial for curbing risky behaviors and promoting maturation. The corpus callosum and basal ganglia are also important structures in the brain, but they are not primarily responsible for executive functioning and impulse control. The caudate nucleus is involved in memory and learning but not specifically related to the maturation of risky behavior.

Question 12

At age 70,Althea still goes to an aerobics class two times a week.She believes it keeps her memory sharp due to the influence on her ________.

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is a part of the brain that plays a key role in memory and learning. Aerobic exercise has been shown to increase the size of the hippocampus and improve memory, especially in older adults. Therefore, Althea's belief that aerobics class keeps her memory sharp is likely accurate.

Question 13

Howard recently celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife Gloria.Compared to when they first met in college,what is Howard's testosterone level?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Howard recently celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary...

Question 14

Caldecott Girls Academy is holding its 35th high school reunion.Of the 100 women attending the event,about how many have experienced major depression about reaching menopause?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Caldecott Girls Academy is holding its 35th...

Question 15

Which of the following plays a key role in scaffolding in older adults?

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobes of the brain, is responsible for executive functions such as planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. It plays a key role in scaffolding, which is the process of providing support and guidance to enable individuals to learn and develop new skills. In older adults, the prefrontal cortex may experience age-related changes, which can affect cognitive and emotional functioning. Therefore, it is important to focus on scaffolding techniques that can support and enhance the capabilities of this brain region.

Question 16

Which of the following does NOT occur in the brains of older adults?

Accepted Answer

An increase in insulation, such as myelin, actually occurs in the brains of older adults. This is due to the brain's natural attempt to compensate for a decrease in cognitive function that occurs with age. The other options, including decrease in volume, loss of brain cells, and reduction in blood flow, are all common age-related changes in the brain.

Question 17

Which of the following would likely be the most effective approach for a 72-year-old man to protect and enhance his cognitive performance?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following would likely be...

Question 18

When Rosa talks about her biological clock ticking down,she's referring to her need to have a baby before menopause occurs.When her grandmother Teresita talks about her biological clock winding down,she's referring to ________.

Accepted Answer

Teresita's reference to her biological clock winding down suggests a decrease in the length of telomeres, which are the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten with age and can contribute to cellular aging and disease.

Question 19

From a neurological perspective,the main reason that adolescents engage in potentially harmful behavior is ________.

Accepted Answer

Adolescents often engage in risky behavior due to delayed maturation of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control, leading to delayed decision capacity.

Question 20

Although doctors have told her to quit smoking and to improve her diet,62-year-old Dolores doesn't pay attention.She says,"When it's your time to go,it's your time.So I'm just gonna live my life." Dolores likely believes in the ________ theory of aging.

Accepted Answer

Dolores' statement implies that she believes that aging is predetermined or programmed into our genes, and that nothing can be done to alter the natural course of aging. This aligns with the programmed theory of aging, which suggests that aging is genetically programmed and follows a predetermined sequence of events. The other theories of aging, such as the caloric theory (which suggests that aging is brought on by a decrease in caloric intake) and the error theory (which suggests that aging is caused by the accumulation of errors over time) do not seem to fit Dolores' perspective as well. The secular theory of aging is based on the idea that improvements in health and nutrition over the centuries have contributed to longer lifespans, which is not relevant to Dolores' statement.

Quiz 5: Body, Brain, and Health