Question 1

Zeke has no problem understanding what other people say to him, but he has difficulty producing spoken language. If Zeke's problem stems from damage to the cerebral cortex, the damage would MOST likely be in ​
A)Wernicke's area.
B)Broca's area.
C)the cerebellum.
D)the right parietal lobe.

Accepted Answer

Broca's area is responsible for speech production and language processing. Damage to this area can result in difficulty producing spoken language, which aligns with Zeke's symptoms.

Question 2

Mary recently had a small stroke that left her unable to move her right side. In which of the following lobes of the cerebrum did the stroke MOST likely cause damage?
A)P arietal
B)O ccipital
C)F rontal
D)T halamic

Accepted Answer

The frontal lobe is responsible for voluntary movement among other functions. Damage to the left side of the frontal lobe can lead to paralysis on the right side of the body, which matches Mary's symptoms.

Question 3

The area of the frontal lobe that plays an important role in the production of speech is called _____ area.
A)Wernicke's
B)Broca's
C)Cannon's
D)Sperry's

Accepted Answer

Broca's area is known for its role in speech production. Damage to this area can result in Broca's aphasia, characterized by difficulty in producing speech.

Question 4

Damage to the temporal lobe of the brain would probably be MOST harmful to the career of a(n)
A)musician.
B)gymnast.
C)architect.
D)painter.

Accepted Answer

The temporal lobe is crucial for processing auditory information and is also involved in the comprehension of language and the formation of memories. A musician relies heavily on the ability to process, understand, and create complex sounds, making damage to the temporal lobe particularly detrimental to their career.

Question 5

If the occipital lobe of the brain is stimulated, a person would be MOST likely to report ​
A)hearing a sound.
B)smelling an odor.
C)seeing a flash of light.
D)moving a part of his body.

Accepted Answer

The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for visual processing. Therefore, stimulating this area of the brain would most likely result in visual sensations, such as seeing a flash of light.

Question 6

In humans, the prefrontal cortex accounts for _____ of the cerebral cortex. ​
A)nearly one-half
B)approximately one-third
C)just over 10%
D)less than 5%

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex accounts for approximately one-third of the cerebral cortex in humans, playing a crucial role in complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making, and moderating social behavior.

Question 7

The brain structure involved in comprehension of speech is ​
A)Broca's area.
B)Wernicke's area.
C)the prefrontal cortex.
D)the parietal cortex.

Accepted Answer

Wernicke's area is responsible for the comprehension of speech.

Question 8

The main reason for the characterization of the left hemisphere as the "dominant" hemisphere was
A)the evidence that the left hemisphere usually processes language.
B)the evidence that the left hemisphere usually processes complex information.
C)the fact that the majority of people are right-handed.
D)that split-brain patients use only their left hemisphere for processing information.

Accepted Answer

The left hemisphere is often considered the "dominant" hemisphere primarily because it is typically responsible for language processing in most individuals. This specialization for language, a fundamental aspect of human cognition and communication, underscores its designation as "dominant."

Question 9

The next time your foot itches, the itch sensation will be sensed in your _____ lobe and the _____ lobe will transmit the message to move your hand and arm to scratch the itch.
A)parietal; frontal
B)frontal; parietal
C)temporal; frontal
D)parietal; occipital

Accepted Answer

The parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information from various parts of the body, including itch sensations. The frontal lobe controls voluntary movements, such as moving your hand and arm to scratch an itch.

Question 10

The primary motor cortex is located in the _____ lobe.
A)occipital
B)parietal
C)temporal
D)frontal

Accepted Answer

The primary motor cortex is located in the frontal lobe of the brain. It is responsible for controlling voluntary movements of specific body parts.

Question 11

Recent research has suggested that mirror neurons may play a role in all of the following EXCEPT
A)acquisition of new motor skills.
B)the imitation of others.
C)understanding the intentions of others.
D)completing  complex mathematical calculations.

Accepted Answer

Mirror neurons are primarily associated with the imitation of actions, understanding intentions, and learning new skills through observation, not with performing complex mathematical calculations.

Question 12

The amount of motor cortex devoted to each body area is determined by
A)the size of the body area.
B)the location of the body area.
C)the diversity of movements of the body area.
D)none of these factors.

Accepted Answer

The amount of motor cortex devoted to each body area is determined by the diversity of movements of the body area, not its size or location. This is why areas like the hands and face, which are capable of a wide range of movements, have a disproportionately large representation in the motor cortex.

Question 13

Which of the following statements concerning plasticity in the brain is FALSE? ​
A)Damage to one area of brain tissue may result in changes in other areas of the brain that compensate for the damage.
B)Experience can change the features of brain structures.
C)Older brains show more plasticity than younger brains.
D)Even adult brains are able to form additional neurons.

Accepted Answer

Plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience or injury. While it's true that the brain can compensate for damage, be shaped by experience, and even form new neurons in adulthood, it is generally accepted that younger brains exhibit more plasticity than older brains. This is because younger brains are still developing and are more malleable, making it easier for them to adapt and reorganize in response to new information or after injury.

Question 14

The most recent research on the brain's plasticity suggests that
A)the plasticity of the brain is unlimited; it is our ability to measure it that is limited.
B)the brain's plasticity and flexibility increase with age.
C)the neural wiring of the brain is flexible and constantly evolving.
D)after infancy, new neurons only form in the left hemisphere of the brain.

Accepted Answer

The most recent research supports the idea that the brain's neural wiring is indeed flexible and constantly evolving, a concept central to understanding brain plasticity. This flexibility allows the brain to adapt to new experiences, learn, and even recover from injuries.

Question 15

The primary visual cortex is located in the _____ lobe.
A)occipital
B)parietal
C)temporal
D)frontal

Accepted Answer

The primary visual cortex, responsible for processing visual information, is located in the occipital lobe of the brain.

Question 16

Monique is not able to understand spoken language. If Monique's problem stems from damage to the cerebral cortex, the damage would MOST likely be in ​
A)Broca's area.
B)the cerebellum.
C)Wernicke's area.
D)the right parietal lobe.

Accepted Answer

Wernicke's area is responsible for the comprehension of speech. Damage to this area can result in an inability to understand spoken language, a condition known as Wernicke's aphasia.

Question 17

Some theorists believe that a sort of "executive control system," which is responsible for monitoring, directing, and organizing thought processes, is housed in the ​
A)corpus callosum.
B)prefrontal cortex.
C)hindbrain.
D)medial forebrain bundle.

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is widely recognized for its role in executive functions, which include planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling and directing attention and behavior. This area of the brain is crucial for the "executive control system" that monitors, directs, and organizes thought processes.

Question 18

Recent research has demonstrated that adult humans ​
A)can form new neurons throughout the central nervous system, but not in the peripheral nervous system.
B)can form new neurons in the olfactory bulb and hippocampus.
C)can form new neurons throughout the peripheral nervous system, but not in the central nervous system.
D)do not generate any new neurons once they are past adolescence.

Accepted Answer

Recent research has shown that adult humans can generate new neurons, a process known as neurogenesis, particularly in the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus. These areas are involved in smell and memory, respectively.

Question 19

If a patient has severe damage to the prefrontal cortex, he might have difficulty
A)identifying visually complex materials.
B)planning, paying attention, and getting organized.
C)identifying objects by touch.
D)hearing sounds.

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for planning, paying attention, and getting organized. Damage to this area can lead to difficulty with these functions.

Question 20

For most people, the production of language resides in the _____ cerebral hemisphere.
A)posterior
B)central
C)right
D)left

Accepted Answer

For most people, especially right-handed individuals, the production and comprehension of language are primarily functions of the left cerebral hemisphere. This includes areas such as Broca's area, involved in language production, and Wernicke's area, involved in language comprehension.

Quiz 3: The Biological Bases of Behavior

Zeke has no problem understanding what other people say to him, but he has difficulty producing spoken language. If Zeke's problem stems from damage to the cerebral cortex, the damage would MOST likely be in

Mary recently had a small stroke that left her unable to move her right side. In which of the following lobes of the cerebrum did the stroke MOST likely cause damage?

The area of the frontal lobe that plays an important role in the production of speech is called _____ area.

Damage to the temporal lobe of the brain would probably be MOST harmful to the career of a(n)

If the occipital lobe of the brain is stimulated, a person would be MOST likely to report

In humans, the prefrontal cortex accounts for _____ of the cerebral cortex.

The brain structure involved in comprehension of speech is

The main reason for the characterization of the left hemisphere as the "dominant" hemisphere was

The next time your foot itches, the itch sensation will be sensed in your _ lobe and the _ lobe will transmit the message to move your hand and arm to scratch the itch.

The primary motor cortex is located in the _____ lobe.

Recent research has suggested that mirror neurons may play a role in all of the following EXCEPT

The amount of motor cortex devoted to each body area is determined by

Which of the following statements concerning plasticity in the brain is FALSE?

The most recent research on the brain's plasticity suggests that

The primary visual cortex is located in the _____ lobe.

Monique is not able to understand spoken language. If Monique's problem stems from damage to the cerebral cortex, the damage would MOST likely be in

Some theorists believe that a sort of "executive control system," which is responsible for monitoring, directing, and organizing thought processes, is housed in the

Recent research has demonstrated that adult humans

If a patient has severe damage to the prefrontal cortex, he might have difficulty

For most people, the production of language resides in the _____ cerebral hemisphere.