Question 1

Which developmental change in the brain occurs after birth?​

Accepted Answer

The number of dendrites and synapses in the brain increases rapidly after birth and continues to do so until adolescence, when the brain begins to prune unused connections, resulting in a decrease in the number of dendrites and synapses.

Question 2

Sam has schizophrenia. He started taking medication to decrease his symptoms. However, he now has difficulty initiating smooth movement. The drug that Sam took blocked his ____ receptors.​

Accepted Answer

Smooth movement is associated with the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is involved in motor control. Schizophrenia involves overactivity of dopamine receptors, and antipsychotic medications block dopamine receptors to decrease symptoms. However, blocking dopamine receptors can also cause motor side effects like difficulty initiating movement.

Question 3

Harry the hormone and Nadia the neurotransmitter can both exert physiological effects on their target organs. Which statement is true about Harry and Nadia?​

Accepted Answer

Hormones like Harry are released into the bloodstream and act at a site away from where they were released, while neurotransmitters like Nadia act locally at the synapse between neurons. Therefore, statement C is correct. Statement A is incorrect because both hormones and neurotransmitters can affect behavior. Statement B is incorrect because it is actually the reverse - neurotransmitters act locally and hormones act at a distant site. Statement D is incorrect because both Harry and Nadia can affect physiological functions, including behavior.

Question 4

​One of the main reasons that brain damage cannot be healed is that an adult central nervous system ____.

Accepted Answer

Unlike other tissues in the body, the adult central nervous system does not have the ability to replace damaged cells. While glial cells can provide some support and help repair damage, they cannot fully replace lost neurons. Additionally, neurotrophic factors, which are important for promoting new cell growth, are not as prevalent in the adult central nervous system as they are during fetal development.

Question 5

Marco works for a research company investigating stem cells. Their goal is to find ways of treating people with spinal cord injuries by replacing damaged neurons with new ones. According to the textbook, the challenge of generating new neurons is finding out how____.​

Accepted Answer

The question is asking about the challenge of generating new neurons for spinal cord injury treatment. Option B correctly states the challenge of the new cells needing to reestablish all of the connections that had been lost. Options A, C, and D are not related to this specific challenge.

Question 6

Donald is seventy years old. For the past few years, he has developed a memory loss that is getting worse, and his personality has become very erratic. His doctors say he has Alzheimer's disease, but you aren't sure. What finding should most convince you that the doctors are right?​

Accepted Answer

People with Alzheimer's disease typically have a loss of acetylcholine neurons in their brains, which can lead to memory loss and changes in personality. While other neurotransmitters may also be affected in Alzheimer's disease, a loss of acetylcholine neurons is a hallmark sign. Loss of GABA neurons, absence of myelin, and below-normal levels of norepinephrine are not typically associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Question 7

Devin has been having trouble initiating movements lately and has also developed a tremor in his hands. He is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and put on medication. To help alleviate Devin's symptoms directly, the drugs would need to increase the effects of ____.​

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. The drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease aim to increase the levels of dopamine in the brain, which helps to alleviate symptoms such as tremor and difficulty with initiating movements. Therefore, the medication would need to increase the effects of dopamine.

Question 8

Donovan had a stroke last year, and doctors were unsure whether he would ever fully recover. Donovan did very little physical exercise to speed up his recovery, but the damaged cells in his nervous system still managed to regenerate and reestablish their network connections. Donovan's system has a naturally high level of ____.​

Accepted Answer

Neural plasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt its neural connections in response to changes in the environment or injury. Donovan's recovery despite not doing physical therapy suggests that his nervous system has a high level of neural plasticity, allowing for natural regeneration and reestablishment of connections.

Question 9

Dennis is an anesthesiologist. Before a patient experiences surgery, Dennis administers an opiate to numb the pain. The opiate works by mimicking the effects of the neurochemical substance called ____.​

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are naturally occurring neurochemicals that are responsible for pain relief and pleasure sensations. Opiates mimic the effects of endorphins by binding to the same receptors in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in pain reduction. A, C, and D are not directly related to pain relief.

Question 10

Dr. Chen's patient describes her main symptoms: sleeplessness and mood difficulties. Dr. Chen suspects that a neurotransmitter is malfunctioning. Which neurotransmitter should he look at?​

Accepted Answer

Both sleep and mood are regulated by norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in the body's "fight or flight" response. Malfunctioning of norepinephrine can lead to sleep disturbances (insomnia) and mood difficulties (depression, anxiety). Therefore, Dr. Chen should look into the functioning of norepinephrine in his patient.

Question 11

In fourth grade, Tate joins the school band and learns to play the trumpet. After a year of practice, the cortical regions in Tate's brain responsible for motor coordination of the hands have increased dramatically. This phenomenon demonstrates that the brain has ____.​

Accepted Answer

The increase in cortical regions responsible for motor coordination of the hands after a year of playing the trumpet demonstrates neural plasticity, which is the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences and learning. Lateral dominance refers to the dominance of one hemisphere of the brain over the other, myelination is the process of coating nerve fibers with a fatty substance to improve the speed of communication between neurons, and a refractory period refers to the time during which a neuron cannot generate another action potential. None of these concepts adequately explain the phenomenon described in the scenario.

Question 12

Belinda has been depressed lately and is having suicidal thoughts. We assume that her brain has low levels of ____.​

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is often associated with mood regulation. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression and suicidal thoughts. Endorphins regulate pain and may also have a positive effect on mood, but they are not directly related to suicidal thoughts. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is not typically linked to depression or suicidal thoughts. Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is responsible for the fight or flight response and is not directly linked to depression or suicidal thoughts.

Question 13

A study finds that rats raised in stimulating environments have more dendrites and synapses than rats raised in boring environments. This study suggests that ____.​

Accepted Answer

The fact that rats raised in stimulating environments had more dendrites and synapses suggests that experience plays an important part in the structure and functioning of the brain. This finding is consistent with the concept of neural plasticity, which refers to the brain's ability to change as a result of experience. Genetic factors may also play a role in determining neural connections, but this study specifically looks at the influence of environmental stimulation. The study's findings do not provide information about the lateralization of rat brains versus human brains.

Question 14

Alcohol slows down the speed with which messages travel through the nervous system. This is best explained by the fact that alcohol increases the amount of ____ in the brain.​

Accepted Answer

Alcohol increases the amount of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows down the activity of neurons and reduces the transmission of signals between them. This is why alcohol consumption leads to slowed reaction times and impaired coordination.

Question 15

Dr. Wiancek was on duty in the emergency room when a brain trauma patient arrived. To try to prevent permanent brain damage, Dr. Wiancek injected the patient with the neurotransmitter called ____.​

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Wiancek was on duty in the...

Question 16

Nancy Neurotransmitter and Heather Hormone are having an argument over which of them is more powerful. Defending her stance that hormones are more powerful, Heather correctly states that neurotransmitters "____."​

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are limited to affecting cells that have special receptors and are carried across the synapse, while hormones are carried in the bloodstream and can affect many more cells throughout the body. Therefore, Heather is correct in stating that hormones are more powerful.

Question 17

Bob is nine months old. Carol is nine years old. Ted is twenty-nine years old. Alice is ninety years old. Whose brain is most likely overproducing synapses?​

Accepted Answer

Bob's brain is still rapidly developing and building neural connections, so he is the most likely to be overproducing synapses. Carol, Ted, and Alice's brains have already undergone significant development and are not producing synapses at the same rate as a developing infant's brain.

Question 18

As part of Jeremiah's occupation, he restores buildings that have been damaged by natural disasters. He likens his job to that of ____ in the brain, which clean up after brain damage is sustained.​

Accepted Answer

Glial cells, also known as neuroglia or simply glia, are non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system that maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for neurons. After brain damage, glial cells play a key role in repairing and restoring the damaged tissue, similar to how Jeremiah restores damaged buildings.

Question 19

Yoon always feels tired during her afternoon classes. You tell Yoon that she should avoid eating high-carbohydrate lunches because they increase the levels of ____ in her brain, which causes her to feel sleepy.​

Accepted Answer

Eating high-carbohydrate lunches increases the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can cause drowsiness and fatigue.

Question 20

If a scientist implanta some cells into an adult patient's brain and this causea stimulation and growth of axons, thus reversing brain damage, you Xn assume that the implanted cells produced ____.​

Accepted Answer

Nerve growth factor is responsible for stimulating growth of axons, which would be necessary for reversing brain damage. Fetal tissue would not be necessary or ethical to use. L-dopa is a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease, which would not be relevant in this case. Glial cells are support cells in the nervous system and do not stimulate axon growth.

Quiz 3: Biological Aspects of Psychology

Which developmental change in the brain occurs after birth?​

Sam has schizophrenia. He started taking medication to decrease his symptoms. However, he now has difficulty initiating smooth movement. The drug that Sam took blocked his ____ receptors.​

Harry the hormone and Nadia the neurotransmitter can both exert physiological effects on their target organs. Which statement is true about Harry and Nadia?​

​One of the main reasons that brain damage cannot be healed is that an adult central nervous system ____.

Marco works for a research company investigating stem cells. Their goal is to find ways of treating people with spinal cord injuries by replacing damaged neurons with new ones. According to the textbook, the challenge of generating new neurons is finding out how____.​

Donald is seventy years old. For the past few years, he has developed a memory loss that is getting worse, and his personality has become very erratic. His doctors say he has Alzheimer's disease, but you aren't sure. What finding should most convince you that the doctors are right?​

Devin has been having trouble initiating movements lately and has also developed a tremor in his hands. He is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and put on medication. To help alleviate Devin's symptoms directly, the drugs would need to increase the effects of ____.​

Dennis is an anesthesiologist. Before a patient experiences surgery, Dennis administers an opiate to numb the pain. The opiate works by mimicking the effects of the neurochemical substance called ____.​

Dr. Chen's patient describes her main symptoms: sleeplessness and mood difficulties. Dr. Chen suspects that a neurotransmitter is malfunctioning. Which neurotransmitter should he look at?​

In fourth grade, Tate joins the school band and learns to play the trumpet. After a year of practice, the cortical regions in Tate's brain responsible for motor coordination of the hands have increased dramatically. This phenomenon demonstrates that the brain has ____.​

Belinda has been depressed lately and is having suicidal thoughts. We assume that her brain has low levels of ____.​

A study finds that rats raised in stimulating environments have more dendrites and synapses than rats raised in boring environments. This study suggests that ____.​

Alcohol slows down the speed with which messages travel through the nervous system. This is best explained by the fact that alcohol increases the amount of ____ in the brain.​

Dr. Wiancek was on duty in the emergency room when a brain trauma patient arrived. To try to prevent permanent brain damage, Dr. Wiancek injected the patient with the neurotransmitter called ____.​

Nancy Neurotransmitter and Heather Hormone are having an argument over which of them is more powerful. Defending her stance that hormones are more powerful, Heather correctly states that neurotransmitters "____."​

Bob is nine months old. Carol is nine years old. Ted is twenty-nine years old. Alice is ninety years old. Whose brain is most likely overproducing synapses?​

As part of Jeremiah's occupation, he restores buildings that have been damaged by natural disasters. He likens his job to that of ____ in the brain, which clean up after brain damage is sustained.​

Yoon always feels tired during her afternoon classes. You tell Yoon that she should avoid eating high-carbohydrate lunches because they increase the levels of ____ in her brain, which causes her to feel sleepy.​

If a scientist implanta some cells into an adult patient's brain and this causea stimulation and growth of axons, thus reversing brain damage, you Xn assume that the implanted cells produced ____.​

Which developmental change in the brain occurs after birth?

Sam has schizophrenia. He started taking medication to decrease his symptoms. However, he now has difficulty initiating smooth movement. The drug that Sam took blocked his ____ receptors.

Harry the hormone and Nadia the neurotransmitter can both exert physiological effects on their target organs. Which statement is true about Harry and Nadia?

One of the main reasons that brain damage cannot be healed is that an adult central nervous system ____.

Marco works for a research company investigating stem cells. Their goal is to find ways of treating people with spinal cord injuries by replacing damaged neurons with new ones. According to the textbook, the challenge of generating new neurons is finding out how____.

Donald is seventy years old. For the past few years, he has developed a memory loss that is getting worse, and his personality has become very erratic. His doctors say he has Alzheimer's disease, but you aren't sure. What finding should most convince you that the doctors are right?

Devin has been having trouble initiating movements lately and has also developed a tremor in his hands. He is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and put on medication. To help alleviate Devin's symptoms directly, the drugs would need to increase the effects of ____.

Dennis is an anesthesiologist. Before a patient experiences surgery, Dennis administers an opiate to numb the pain. The opiate works by mimicking the effects of the neurochemical substance called ____.

Dr. Chen's patient describes her main symptoms: sleeplessness and mood difficulties. Dr. Chen suspects that a neurotransmitter is malfunctioning. Which neurotransmitter should he look at?

In fourth grade, Tate joins the school band and learns to play the trumpet. After a year of practice, the cortical regions in Tate's brain responsible for motor coordination of the hands have increased dramatically. This phenomenon demonstrates that the brain has ____.

Belinda has been depressed lately and is having suicidal thoughts. We assume that her brain has low levels of ____.

A study finds that rats raised in stimulating environments have more dendrites and synapses than rats raised in boring environments. This study suggests that ____.

Alcohol slows down the speed with which messages travel through the nervous system. This is best explained by the fact that alcohol increases the amount of ____ in the brain.

Dr. Wiancek was on duty in the emergency room when a brain trauma patient arrived. To try to prevent permanent brain damage, Dr. Wiancek injected the patient with the neurotransmitter called ____.

Nancy Neurotransmitter and Heather Hormone are having an argument over which of them is more powerful. Defending her stance that hormones are more powerful, Heather correctly states that neurotransmitters "____."

Bob is nine months old. Carol is nine years old. Ted is twenty-nine years old. Alice is ninety years old. Whose brain is most likely overproducing synapses?

As part of Jeremiah's occupation, he restores buildings that have been damaged by natural disasters. He likens his job to that of ____ in the brain, which clean up after brain damage is sustained.

Yoon always feels tired during her afternoon classes. You tell Yoon that she should avoid eating high-carbohydrate lunches because they increase the levels of ____ in her brain, which causes her to feel sleepy.

If a scientist implanta some cells into an adult patient's brain and this causea stimulation and growth of axons, thus reversing brain damage, you Xn assume that the implanted cells produced ____.