Question 1

Although it weighs only ________, the brain is the bedrock of all behaviour and mental activity.

Accepted Answer

The average adult human brain weighs about 1500 grams (or approximately 3 pounds).

Question 2

Cameron touches a hot iron and immediately pulls his hand away. His quick response occurs because:

Accepted Answer

Spinal reflexes are automatic and do not require conscious effort. When Cameron touches the hot iron, sensory neurons in his hand send a signal to his spinal cord, which then automatically sends a signal back to his muscles to quickly pull his hand away from the source of pain. This reflex occurs without involving the brain, explaining the speedy response.

Question 3

A collection of neurons and supportive tissue running from the base of the brain down the centre of the back, protected by a column of bones, is called the:

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord is a collection of neurons and supportive tissue that runs from the base of the brain down the center of the back, protected by a column of bones. The amygdala is a small almond-shaped structure located within the temporal lobe of the brain. The somatic nervous system refers to the part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for voluntary control of our movements and sensations. The cerebellum is a part of the brain located behind the brainstem that is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and maintaining balance.

Question 4

The case of the man who developed "gourmand syndrome" shows that:

Accepted Answer

The case of the man who developed "gourmand syndrome" proves that in some cases, the changes that occur as a result of brain damage can be benign. The man developed an increased passion for food after sustaining brain damage, but this change did not negatively impact his ability to function in everyday life. Therefore, not all changes caused by brain injury are malignant.

Question 5

The spinal cord is actually an extension of the:

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord is directly connected to the brain and is considered an extension of it. It serves as a pathway between the brain and the rest of the body, transmitting sensory and motor signals. The other options (A, B, D) are not accurate in describing the relationship of the spinal cord to other systems or organs in the body.

Question 6

The nervous system is divided into the following two main parts:

Accepted Answer

The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which consists of the nerves that extend from the CNS to the rest of the body. Option A is incorrect because neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, and nerves are made up of many neurons bundled together. Option B is incorrect because the brain is part of the CNS, which is separate from the PNS made up of nerves.

Question 7

What is it that makes brain research different from studying anything else in the universe?

Accepted Answer

Brain research is unique because it involves using our own brains to study and understand the brains of others. This presents a unique challenge because it requires us to be self-reflective and self-aware in our research. Additionally, the complexity of the brain means that it cannot be fully understood through a single approach or discipline, but rather requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology.

Question 8

The ________ receives, processes, interprets, and stores incoming sensory information and also sends out messages destined for muscles, glands, and internal organs.

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system (CNS) is responsible for receiving, processing, interpreting, and storing incoming sensory information, as well as sending out messages to muscles, glands, and internal organs. The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT true of spinal reflexes?

Accepted Answer

Spinal reflexes do not control sneezing and blinking, as these are cranial reflexes, not spinal reflexes.

Question 10

The ________ receives, processes, interprets, and stores incoming sensory information and also sends out messages destined for muscles, glands, and internal organs.

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, which are responsible for receiving, processing, interpreting, and storing incoming sensory information, as well as sending out messages to muscles, glands, and internal organs. The brain stem and occipital lobe are specific parts of the CNS, but do not encompass all of its functions. Action potential refers to the electrical signal that travels along neurons in the nervous system, and is not a system or structure.

Question 11

The function of ________ is to gather and process information, produce responses to stimuli, and coordinate the workings of different cells.

Accepted Answer

The nervous system is responsible for gathering and processing information, producing responses to stimuli, and coordinating the workings of different cells. The other options do not have these functions - a cell body is just part of a neuron, endorphins are a type of chemical messenger, and a synapse is the junction between two neurons.

Question 12

The brain's most startling accomplishment is its:

Accepted Answer

The brain's ability to be self-aware of its own different capabilities and knowledge is known as metacognition, which is a remarkable accomplishment. It allows the brain to reflect on its own thoughts and actions, analyze information, and make informed decisions. This ability plays an important role in human cognition and sets us apart from other animals.

Question 13

Reflexes above the neck, such as sneezing and blinking, involve the ________, and reflexes below the neck, such as pulling a hand away from a hot stove, involve the ________.

Accepted Answer

Reflexes above the neck, like sneezing and blinking, are controlled by the lower part of the brain, while reflexes below the neck, like withdrawing a hand from a hot stove, are mediated by the spinal cord.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a function of the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Neurosclerotic activity is not a function of the nervous system. The correct term is neurological activity, which refers to the electrical and chemical processes that occur within neurons. Therefore, option B is incorrect while A, C, and D are all correct functions of the nervous system.

Question 15

An important role of the spinal cord is:

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord is responsible for producing automatic spinal reflexes, such as pulling your hand away from a hot stove or blinking when something suddenly comes close to your eye. This is an important protective mechanism that helps prevent injury or harm. While the spinal cord does play a role in processing and storing sensory information, monitoring internal organ activity, and producing responses to complex stimuli, its primary function with regards to the choices given is to produce spinal reflexes.

Question 16

The authors describe the case of a man who developed a puzzling symptom in which he was obsessed with fine dining. This "gourmand syndrome" was the result of:

Accepted Answer

The symptom of being obsessed with fine dining, known as gourmand syndrome, was the result of a stroke damaging the right side of the man's brain. This is because the right hemisphere of the brain is involved in processing sensory information related to taste and smell.

Question 17

Which part of the nervous system produces some behaviours on its own, without any help from the brain?

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord is capable of producing some reflex behaviors on its own without any control from the brain. For example, if you accidentally touch a hot stove, your hand will reflexively pull away before your brain even registers the pain.

Question 18

Dr. Hardin is a neuroscientist. Which of the following is LEAST LIKELY to be her area of research?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Hardin's expertise is in neuroscience, which focuses on the biological underpinnings of the brain's functions. Aspects of psychosexual development pertain to psychology and are not typically studied by neuroscientists.

Question 19

William Shakespeare said that the brain was "the soul's frail dwelling house." Wade, Tavris, Saucier, and Elias point out that, actually, the "house" would be the nervous system as a whole and the brain would be:

Accepted Answer

The authors argue that the brain would be the main room in the house, as it serves as the central processing unit for the nervous system and is responsible for most cognitive and behavioral functions. It is the largest and most important part of the nervous system, making it a fitting analogy for the main room in a house.

Question 20

When injury or disease affects the brain's functioning:

Accepted Answer

When the brain's functioning is affected by injury or disease, it can lead to physical or mental changes that can significantly impact a person's life. This may include changes to their cognitive abilities, personality, and sensory input, but it is not necessarily true that these changes will be dramatic or consistent across all individuals. However, the impact on one's life is almost always significant.

Quiz 4: The Brain: Source of Mind and Self

Although it weighs only ________, the brain is the bedrock of all behaviour and mental activity.

Cameron touches a hot iron and immediately pulls his hand away. His quick response occurs because:

A collection of neurons and supportive tissue running from the base of the brain down the centre of the back, protected by a column of bones, is called the:

The case of the man who developed "gourmand syndrome" shows that:

The spinal cord is actually an extension of the:

The nervous system is divided into the following two main parts:

What is it that makes brain research different from studying anything else in the universe?

The ________ receives, processes, interprets, and stores incoming sensory information and also sends out messages destined for muscles, glands, and internal organs.

Which of the following is NOT true of spinal reflexes?

The ________ receives, processes, interprets, and stores incoming sensory information and also sends out messages destined for muscles, glands, and internal organs.

The function of ________ is to gather and process information, produce responses to stimuli, and coordinate the workings of different cells.

The brain's most startling accomplishment is its:

Reflexes above the neck, such as sneezing and blinking, involve the , and reflexes below the neck, such as pulling a hand away from a hot stove, involve the .

Which of the following is NOT a function of the nervous system?

An important role of the spinal cord is:

The authors describe the case of a man who developed a puzzling symptom in which he was obsessed with fine dining. This "gourmand syndrome" was the result of:

Which part of the nervous system produces some behaviours on its own, without any help from the brain?

Dr. Hardin is a neuroscientist. Which of the following is LEAST LIKELY to be her area of research?

William Shakespeare said that the brain was "the soul's frail dwelling house." Wade, Tavris, Saucier, and Elias point out that, actually, the "house" would be the nervous system as a whole and the brain would be:

When injury or disease affects the brain's functioning: