Question 1

Our ability to read the facial expressions of emotion in other people is registered primarily in the ________.
A) corpus callosum
B) limbic system
C) thalamus
D) hypothalamus

Accepted Answer

The limbic system, particularly the amygdala, plays a key role in recognizing facial expressions of emotion. It is responsible for processing and interpreting emotional information in the environment, including facial expressions. The corpus callosum is responsible for communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, but not specifically related to emotion recognition. The thalamus relays sensory information to the cortex, but does not play a primary role in emotive processing. The hypothalamus is involved in regulation of bodily functions and behaviors, but not specifically related to emotion recognition.

Question 2

"Split brain" patients are patients who have had ________.
A) their cerebellum split in the middle
B) their brain stem cut down the middle
C) their corpus callosum cut
D) a prefrontal lobotomy

Accepted Answer

"Split brain" patients have had their corpus callosum cut, which is the bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain. This is typically done as a treatment for severe epilepsy.

Question 3

A "split brain" patient is asked to stare at a spot on a screen. When a picture of an object is shown to the left of the spot, the patient can ________.
A) pick the object out of a group of hidden objects using her right hand, but cannot identify it verbally
B) identify the object verbally and pick it out of a group of hidden objects using her right hand
C) identify the object verbally and pick it out of a group of hidden objects using her left hand
D) pick the object out of a group of hidden objects using her left hand, but cannot identify it verbally

Accepted Answer

The answer of A "split brain" patient is asked to...

Question 4

A baby is born with an impairment of her right cerebral hemisphere, but it is not discovered until years later, when certain clues are pieced together. Which of the following is least likely to be one of those clues?
A) She has trouble picking up objects with her left hand.
B) She has trouble understanding the meaning of a story that is read to her.
C) She has difficulty perceiving spatial relationships.
D) She has severe language problems.

Accepted Answer

Severe language problems are a common symptom of impairment in the left cerebral hemisphere, not the right. The other three choices are all symptoms of right hemisphere impairment, as the right hemisphere is responsible for controlling the left side of the body (including left hand movements), processing spatial information, and interpreting nonverbal information, such as the imagery in a story.

Question 5

Language is processed primarily in the left hemisphere ________.
A) only in right-handers
B) in the majority of right-handers and left-handers
C) in most right-handers but only a few left-handers
D) only in left-handers

Accepted Answer

While language processing is more dominant in the left hemisphere for the majority of people, including both right-handers and left-handers, there are some exceptions where language processing may also occur in the right hemisphere for a small percentage of individuals.

Question 6

A "split-brain" patient is asked to stare at a spot on a screen. When a picture of an object is shown to the right of the spot, the patient can ________.
A) pick the object out of a group of hidden objects using her right hand, but cannot identify it verbally
B) identify the object verbally and pick it out of a group of hidden objects using her left hand
C) identify the object verbally and pick it out of a group of hidden objects using her right hand
D) pick the object out of a group of hidden objects using her left hand, but cannot identify it verbally

Accepted Answer

The answer of A "split-brain" patient is asked to stare...

Question 7

Which hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is usually dominant in language tasks?
A) the front hemisphere
B) the right hemisphere
C) the rear hemisphere
D) the left hemisphere

Accepted Answer

The left hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is typically dominant in language tasks, including speech production, comprehension, reading, and writing. This is known as "left hemisphere dominance."

Question 8

The thick bundle of nerves connecting the two cerebral hemispheres which coordinates their activities is the ________.
A) reticular formation
B) corpus callosum
C) substantia nigra
D) caudate nucleus

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a thick bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and coordinates their activities. It allows for communication between the two halves of the brain and helps integrate information from both sides. The other options listed (reticular formation, substantia nigra, and caudate nucleus) are all specific brain regions involved in different functions, but they are not responsible for coordinating the activities of the two cerebral hemispheres.

Question 9

The fact that language is usually related most closely to the left hemisphere explains why ________.
A) damage to the left hemisphere may cause language disorders
B) the right hemisphere is usually larger than the left
C) the left hemisphere is usually larger than the right
D) stroke victims with paralysis on the left side of the body may have severe speech problems

Accepted Answer

The fact that language is usually related most closely to the left hemisphere explains why damage to the left hemisphere may cause language disorders.

Question 10

The limbic system structures that seem especially important to emotions related to self- preservation and when stimulated cause fear or panic reactions or attack behaviors are the ________.
A) septum and the cingulate gyrus
B) amygdala and the hippocampus
C) hippocampus and the cingulate gyrus
D) reticular formation and the amygdala

Accepted Answer

The two structures that are most closely associated with fear and panic reactions or attack behaviors are the amygdala and the hippocampus. These structures are part of the limbic system, which is responsible for many emotional responses. The septum and cingulate gyrus are not as strongly associated with fear and aggression, and the reticular formation is not technically part of the limbic system.

Question 11

Split-brain patients who are shown objects in such a way that the visual information goes only to the right hemisphere of the brain ________.
A) can name the objects and can point to them with their right hand
B) can neither name the objects nor point to them with their right hand
C) cannot name the objects, but can point to them with their right hand
D) can name the objects, but cannot point to them with their right hand

Accepted Answer

The right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for processing visual information from the left visual field, and the left hemisphere is responsible for processing visual information from the right visual field. Therefore, if an object is presented in such a way that only the right hemisphere receives the visual information, the patient will not be able to name the object because language processing occurs primarily in the left hemisphere. However, they will be able to point to the object with their right hand because the motor control for the right hand is controlled by the left hemisphere.

Question 12

The loosely connected ring of structures between the central core and the cerebral hemispheres that control emotion and is involved in the formation of new memories is the ________.
A) endocrine system
B) limbic system
C) reticular formation
D) pons

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is responsible for controlling emotions and is involved in the formation of new memories. The endocrine system is responsible for producing and releasing hormones, the reticular formation is responsible for arousal and attention, and the pons is involved in sleep and respiration.

Question 13

George was in an automobile accident several years ago in which he suffered severe head injuries. Since the mishap, he has been unable to form new memories. He can remember everything he did before the accident but he cannot remember what he just said five minutes ago. The part of George's brain the was injured was probably the ________.
A) reticular formation
B) spinal cord
C) brain stem
D) hippocampus

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is responsible for the formation of new memories. In George's case, the severe head injuries likely damaged his hippocampus, resulting in his inability to form new memories. The other options, such as the reticular formation, spinal cord, and brain stem are not directly related to memory formation.

Question 14

Which hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is usually dominant in spatial tasks?
A) the rear hemisphere
B) the left hemisphere
C) the front hemisphere
D) the right hemisphere

Accepted Answer

Studies suggest that the right hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is usually dominant in spatial tasks such as perception of shapes, recognition of faces, and mental rotation of objects.

Question 15

Each of the following statements about differences in hemispheric functioning is true except ________.
A) normally, the two hemispheres communicate with each other and work together in an integrated, coordinated way
B) differences in the hemispheres appear to be greater in women than in men
C) not everyone shows the same pattern of difference in functioning between the left and right hemispheres
D) both hemispheres have the potential to perform a wide range of tasks

Accepted Answer

There is no evidence to suggest that differences in hemispheric functioning are greater in women than in men. Research has shown that both men and women can display a range of hemispheric differences in functioning.

Question 16

The limbic system is fully developed only in ________.
A) mammals and reptiles
B) vertebrates
C) reptiles
D) mammals

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is a group of structures in the brain including the hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and cingulate gyrus, which are responsible for our emotional responses, memories, and basic drives such as hunger and thirst. These structures are fully developed only in mammals (including humans) and not in reptiles or other vertebrates. Therefore, the correct answer is D) mammals.

Question 17

Split-brain patients who are shown objects in such a way that the visual information goes only to the left hemisphere of the brain ________.
A) cannot name the objects, but can point to them with their left hand
B) can neither name the objects nor point to them with their left hand
C) can name the objects, but cannot point to them with their left hand
D) can name the objects and can point to them with their left hand

Accepted Answer

The left hemisphere is typically responsible for language processing, so split-brain patients can name objects seen by the left hemisphere. However, the right hemisphere controls the left hand, so they cannot point to objects with their left hand.

Question 18

A baby is born with an impairment of his left cerebral hemisphere, but it is not discovered until years later, when certain clues are pieced together. Which of the following is most likely to be one of those clues?
A) He has difficulty with geometry.
B) He has difficulty perceiving concepts and spatial relationships.
C) He has difficulty learning to read.
D) He has difficulty recognizing people's faces.

Accepted Answer

The left cerebral hemisphere is primarily responsible for language processing and reading skills. An impairment in this area would likely manifest as difficulty in learning to read.

Question 19

The limbic system is responsible for ________.
A) controlling learning and emotional behavior
B) connecting the brain to the rest of the body
C) filtering incoming messages to the brain
D) fighting disease organisms that attempt to infect the brain

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is a group of structures in the brain that are involved in processing emotions, learning, memory, and motivation. It includes the hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, and other parts of the brain. Therefore, the best choice is A) controlling learning and emotional behavior.

Question 20

Imagine that you believe that increased neural activity in the human limbic system produces increases in aggressive behavior. Which of the following findings would not provide support for your theory?
A) The limbic system is stimulated electrically and aggression increases.
B) Portions of the limbic system are destroyed and aggression increases.
C) A depressant drug is administered to an area of the brain that inhibits the limbic system and aggression increases.
D) An area of the brain that inhibits the limbic system is destroyed and aggression increases.

Accepted Answer

If portions of the limbic system are destroyed and aggression increases, it would actually contradict the theory that increased neural activity in the limbic system produces increased aggressive behavior. Instead, this finding would suggest that the limbic system normally inhibits aggressive behavior, and its destruction releases the inhibition. Therefore, B would not provide support for the theory.

Quiz 2: The Biological Basis of Behavior

Our ability to read the facial expressions of emotion in other people is registered primarily in the ________.

"Split brain" patients are patients who have had ________.

A "split brain" patient is asked to stare at a spot on a screen. When a picture of an object is shown to the left of the spot, the patient can ________.

A baby is born with an impairment of her right cerebral hemisphere, but it is not discovered until years later, when certain clues are pieced together. Which of the following is least likely to be one of those clues?

Language is processed primarily in the left hemisphere ________.

A "split-brain" patient is asked to stare at a spot on a screen. When a picture of an object is shown to the right of the spot, the patient can ________.

Which hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is usually dominant in language tasks?

The thick bundle of nerves connecting the two cerebral hemispheres which coordinates their activities is the ________.

The fact that language is usually related most closely to the left hemisphere explains why ________.

The limbic system structures that seem especially important to emotions related to self- preservation and when stimulated cause fear or panic reactions or attack behaviors are the ________.

Split-brain patients who are shown objects in such a way that the visual information goes only to the right hemisphere of the brain ________.

The loosely connected ring of structures between the central core and the cerebral hemispheres that control emotion and is involved in the formation of new memories is the ________.

Which hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is usually dominant in spatial tasks?

Each of the following statements about differences in hemispheric functioning is true except ________.

The limbic system is fully developed only in ________.

Split-brain patients who are shown objects in such a way that the visual information goes only to the left hemisphere of the brain ________.

A baby is born with an impairment of his left cerebral hemisphere, but it is not discovered until years later, when certain clues are pieced together. Which of the following is most likely to be one of those clues?

The limbic system is responsible for ________.

Imagine that you believe that increased neural activity in the human limbic system produces increases in aggressive behavior. Which of the following findings would not provide support for your theory?