Question 1

In humans, electrical stimulation of the amygdala produces:

Accepted Answer

Electrical stimulation of the amygdala in humans is known to produce feelings of fear. The amygdala is a key brain region involved in the processing of emotions, particularly fear and anxiety. Stimulation of the amygdala can trigger fear-related responses, including increased heart rate, sweating, and other physiological changes.

Question 2

A German neurologist named _____ identified an area on the left temporal lobe that, when damaged, disrupted the ability to understand written or spoken language.

Accepted Answer

The area identified by the German neurologist is known as Wernicke's area, named after Karl Wernicke. Paul Broca is known for his work on the production of language and identified the area in the left frontal lobe responsible for speech production, now known as Broca's area. Roger Sperry is known for his split-brain research, and Franz Gall is known for his phrenology theories.

Question 3

Which two limbic system structures are especially associated with forming new memories?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus and amygdala are both part of the limbic system and are especially associated with forming new memories. The hippocampus is important in the formation of new declarative memories, such as facts and events, while the amygdala is important in the formation of emotional memories.

Question 4

Almost all of the sensory and motor information going to and from the cerebral cortex is processed through the:

Accepted Answer

The thalamus serves as a relay station for incoming sensory information before it reaches the cortex and outgoing motor commands before they reach the muscles. It is responsible for processing and transmitting almost all sensory and motor information going to and from the cerebral cortex.

Question 5

The limbic system refers to the:

Accepted Answer

The limbic system consists of several brain structures, including the hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala, and hypothalamus. The other options include some of the structures outside of the limbic system.

Question 6

Which brain structure exerts considerable influence over these cretion of hormones throughout the body?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in controlling the secretion of hormones throughout the body by releasing regulatory hormones that stimulate or inhibit the secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland. This makes it the best choice for the structure that exerts considerable influence over the secretion of hormones. The amygdala, hippocampus, and thalamus do not have as direct a role in hormone secretion.

Question 7

The hypothalamus exerts control over the endocrine system bydirectly triggering activity in the:

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland is directly controlled by the hypothalamus through the release of various hormones, which affect the secretion of other hormones from the pituitary gland. Therefore, the hypothalamus plays a major role in the regulation of the endocrine system by controlling the activity of the pituitary gland.

Question 8

When brain damage causes the loss of the ability to speak,write, or understand spoken or written language, it is a condition called:

Accepted Answer

Aphasia is a condition caused by brain damage that disrupts a person's ability to use or understand language. This can include difficulty speaking, writing, reading, or understanding spoken language. Parkinson's disease and epilepsy may also cause neurological symptoms that affect language, but they are not specifically characterized by language impairment. Alzheimer's disease is primarily associated with memory loss and cognitive decline, although language difficulties can be a symptom later in the disease.

Question 9

Recent evidence suggests that _____ is more than just a sensory relay station and plays a key role in regulating levels of awareness.

Accepted Answer

The thalamus has traditionally been seen as a sensory relay station, but recent evidence suggests that it also plays a role in regulating levels of awareness.

Question 10

The idea that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain is called:

Accepted Answer

Lateralization of function refers to the idea that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain, such as language processing being primarily located in the left hemisphere. Cortical localization refers to the concept that specific brain regions are responsible for specific functions, while functional plasticity and structural plasticity refer to the brain's ability to adapt and change in response to experience or injury.

Question 11

According to the Critical Thinking box, "'His' and 'Her'Brains?" which of the following is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The statement "In general, men's brains are more symmetrical than women's brains" is false. In fact, studies have shown that women's brains tend to have more symmetrical connections between the two hemispheres.

Question 12

The hippocampus plays a key role in:

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is involved in the formation of new memories, both short-term and long-term. It plays a critical role in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory. A damaged or dysfunctional hippocampus can result in memory loss or difficulty forming new memories. The other options do not accurately reflect the function of the hippocampus.

Question 13

According to the Critical Thinking box in the text, "'His' and'Her' Brains," which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

All the statements provided are true according to the Critical Thinking box in the text, "'His' and 'Her' Brains."

Question 14

After an automobile accident, Randy experienced a series ofsevere seizures. After the seizures stopped, Randy's ability toform new memories was greatly impaired. Which brain structure was most likely damaged by the severe seizures?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus plays a key role in forming new memories, especially declarative and spatial memories, and is susceptible to damage from seizures. The hypothalamus is primarily responsible for regulating autonomic functions and hormone release. The somatosensory cortex is responsible for processing sensory information from the body, and the thalamus acts as a relay center for sensory information.

Question 15

Which parts of the body have the greatest representation on the primary motor cortex?

Accepted Answer

The hands and facial muscles have the greatest representation on the primary motor cortex, occupying a larger area than other body parts such as legs and arms, head and neck, chest and back. This is often referred to as the motor homunculus or "little man," which represents the different body parts in the primary motor cortex based on their size and complexity of movement.

Question 16

According to the Critical Thinking box in the text, "'His' and'Her' Brains?":

Accepted Answer

The Critical Thinking box states that while there are some structural differences between male and female brains, not all of these differences lead to measurable differences in behavior or abilities. Therefore, option C is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect because it presents an extreme statement that is not entirely true - while there may not be significant structural differences, there are some differences. Option B is also incorrect because it presents an oversimplified view of gender differences as being solely biological and fixed. Option D is incorrect because it presents an unsupported claim that research has conclusively shown differences in male and female thinking and reasoning.

Question 17

You've been studying biology in the library for the last couple of hours when you realize that you're getting really hungry and thirsty. Which brain structure played a key role in triggering feelings of hunger and thirst?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus plays a key role in regulating hunger and thirst, among other bodily functions. It receives signals from the body and sends out signals to various other parts of the brain and body to regulate these sensations.

Question 18

Which of the following brain structures is NOT a key component of the limbic system?

Accepted Answer

The reticular formation is not considered a key component of the limbic system. It is a network of neurons located in the brainstem that plays a role in regulating sleep, arousal, and attention, but is not directly involved in the functions typically associated with the limbic system, such as emotion, memory, and motivation.

Question 19

Which brain structure regulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus regulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system through its control of the pituitary gland and the release of hormones such as corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and oxytocin. It also plays a key role in regulating a variety of physiological processes, including hunger, thirst, body temperature, and circadian rhythms.

Question 20

Of the following brain structures, which is associated with the emotional responses of fear, disgust, and anger?

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is associated with the emotional responses of fear, disgust, and anger. It plays a crucial role in processing emotions and responding to potential threats. The hypothalamus is involved in regulating basic bodily functions, while the thalamus is involved in sensory processing. Broca's area is associated with language production.

Quiz 2: Neuroscience and Behavior