Question 1

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

The limbic system is fully developed only in ________.

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is a set of brain structures that are important for emotions, memory, and behavior. It includes the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. These structures are most developed in mammals, particularly in the higher primates, including humans. Reptiles have some limbic structures but they are less developed than those found in mammals. Therefore, the best choice is D) mammals.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The limbic system plays a crucial role in the processing and interpretation of emotions, including recognizing facial expressions of emotion in other people. The corpus callosum is responsible for communication between the two hemispheres of the brain, while the thalamus is responsible for relaying sensory information to the cortex. The hypothalamus is involved in regulating basic physiological processes such as hunger and thirst.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

When visual information is presented to only the right hemisphere of the brain in split-brain patients, they cannot verbally name the objects because language processing is typically located in the left hemisphere. However, they can still use their right hand (controlled by the left hemisphere) to point to the objects they see, indicating that their right hemisphere is processing visual information. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Split-brain patients who are shown objects in...

Question 6

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is the loosely connected ring of structures between the central core and the cerebral hemispheres that control emotion and are involved in the formation of new memories. The endocrine system controls hormone production, while the reticular formation and pons are structures located in the brainstem involved in sleep, arousal, and alertness.

Question 7

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The fact that language is closely related to the left hemisphere means that damage to the left hemisphere may cause language disorders.

Question 9

Language is processed primarily in the left hemisphere ________.

Accepted Answer

While there is some individual variability, language processing is typically primarily located in the left hemisphere for the majority of both right-handers and left-handers.

Question 10

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?

Accepted Answer

Severe language problems are most commonly associated with impairment of the left cerebral hemisphere, not the right. Therefore, this clue would be the least likely to lead to the discovery of the impairment. A, B, and C are all potential clues associated with right hemisphere impairment.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The left hemisphere is usually dominant in language tasks such as speaking, reading, and writing. This is known as left-hemisphere dominance, and it is true for the majority of right-handed individuals and approximately two-thirds of left-handed individuals.

Question 12

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A baby is born with an impairment...

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a thick bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres which coordinates their activities. The other options mentioned are not associated with this function.

Question 14

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is responsible for the formation of new memories, so if George cannot form new memories after the accident, it is likely that this part of his brain was injured. The reticular formation is involved in arousal and attention, the spinal cord is responsible for transmitting sensory and motor information, and the brain stem is involved in basic life-sustaining functions such as breathing and heart rate, but none of these structures are specifically responsible for memory formation.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

"Split brain" patients are patients who have had their corpus callosum cut. The corpus callosum is the bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain and allows them to communicate with each other. Cutting the corpus callosum is sometimes done as a treatment for severe epilepsy. As a result of the surgery, the two hemispheres of the brain are no longer fully integrated and can exhibit different behaviors or reactions.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The right hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is usually dominant in spatial tasks.

Question 17

The limbic system is responsible for ________.

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is known as the "emotional brain" and is responsible for regulating emotions, motivation, learning, and memory. It is not responsible for connecting the brain to the rest of the body, filtering incoming messages to the brain, or fighting disease organisms.

Question 18

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

The structures in the limbic system that are specifically related to emotions related to self-preservation and can stimulate fear, panic, or attack responses are the amygdala and the hippocampus. The septum and cingulate gyrus are more related to regulating emotional responses and decision-making, while the reticular formation is more related to arousal and attention.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The statement "differences in the hemispheres appear to be greater in women than in men" is not entirely correct. Researchers have found some evidence for greater hemispheric specialization in women, but other studies have found no significant gender differences. Therefore, it is not a universally accepted statement about differences in hemispheric functioning.

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?

Accepted Answer

If portions of the limbic system are destroyed and aggression increases, it would contradict the theory that increased neural activity in the limbic system causes increased aggression. This finding suggests that the intact limbic system may play a regulatory role in suppressing aggressive behavior.

Quiz 2: The Biological Basis of Behavior