Question 1

Damage to the left cerebral hemisphere would most likely affect a man's ability to
A) move the left side of his body.
B) feel sensation on the left side of his body.
C) speak and understand language.
D) experience emotion.

Accepted Answer

The left cerebral hemisphere is responsible for language skills, including speech production and understanding language. Damage to this area would most likely affect a person's ability to speak and comprehend language. While movement and sensation are controlled by the opposite side of the brain, emotions are generally controlled by both hemispheres, so damage to one side would not necessarily affect emotion.

Question 2

The limbic system is most involved in
A) movement.
B) breathing.
C) the regulation of body temperature.
D) emotion.

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is a group of brain structures involved in emotions, mood, motivation, and memory. Therefore, option D, emotion, is the best choice. The other options, movement (A), breathing (B), and the regulation of body temperature (C), are regulated mainly by other parts of the brain and nervous system.

Question 3

In the homunculus that corresponds to the mapping of the somatosensory cortex, which body part occupies the largest area?
A) Hand
B) Trunk
C) Nose
D) Leg

Accepted Answer

The hand occupies the largest area in the homunculus that corresponds to the mapping of the somatosensory cortex. This is because the hand has the highest density of tactile receptors and is involved in complex motor tasks, leading to a greater representation in the somatosensory cortex.

Question 4

Xavier has a disease that disrupts the functioning of his sympathetic nervous system. A likely symptom is
A) failure to activate the fight-or-flight response in dangerous situations.
B) excessive anxiety.
C) inability to digest food.
D) impaired fine motor coordination.

Accepted Answer

Xavier's sympathetic nervous system helps to regulate the fight-or-flight response, which is the body's natural response to perceived danger. If his sympathetic nervous system is disrupted, he may have a reduced ability to activate the fight-or-flight response. This would mean that he may not respond appropriately to danger and may not experience the typical physical symptoms associated with the response (such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and heightened senses).

Question 5

Your roommate has accused you of stealing money from her. Your racing heart and rapid breathing are triggered by your _______ nervous system.
A) parasympathetic
B) sympathetic
C) somatic
D) sensory

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which includes an increase in heart rate and breathing rate when under stress or threat. In this situation, the accusation of stealing money is stressful and would activate the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 6

The key role of the central nervous system is to
A) analyze sensory information and control behavior.
B) transport sensory information to the spinal cord.
C) activate the fight-or-flight response.
D) gather information about internal processes.

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system is responsible for analyzing sensory information and controlling behavior, including movements, thoughts, and emotions. It includes the brain and spinal cord and plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and responding to external stimuli. While the other options describe functions of the nervous system, they do not accurately reflect the primary role of the central nervous system.

Question 7

The technique that detects voltage changes in the brain is
A) computed tomography (CT).
B) electroencephalography (EEG).
C) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
D) positron emission tomography (PET).

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the technique that detects voltage changes in the brain by placing electrodes on the scalp to measure electrical activity. CT, fMRI, and PET all measure different aspects of brain activity such as blood flow, oxygen consumption, and structural changes, but they do not directly measure electrical activity like EEG.

Question 8

A scientist would most likely use _______ to find out which parts of the brain are involved in performing mathematical calculations.
A) transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
B) the lesion method
C) a lobotomy
D) computed tomography (CT)

Accepted Answer

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique used to stimulate or inhibit specific areas of the brain and is often used in cognitive neuroscience research to study brain function. By applying magnetic fields to the brain, researchers can determine which areas are activated during specific tasks such as mathematical calculations. The lesion method involves studying patients who have suffered brain damage to determine which areas of the brain are necessary for certain cognitive functions, but it is not a direct method of assessing brain activation during a specific task. Lobotomies are no longer performed due to ethical concerns and the availability of less invasive techniques. Computed tomography (CT) can provide detailed images of the brain's structure, but it does not measure brain activity directly.

Question 9

PET scans
A) provide a less detailed image of the brain than does transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
B) show brain structures but not areas of brain activity.
C) track radioactive markers in the blood.
D) require intense X-ray exposure.

Accepted Answer

PET scans involve injecting a small amount of a radioactive tracer into the bloodstream, which is taken up by the brain and tracked by the scan to show areas of brain activity. Therefore, choice C is the correct option as it accurately describes how PET scans work.

Question 10

Brain plasticity
A) is the ability of the brain to fully repair its damaged areas.
B) involves changes in the brain connected with storing memories.
C) is present only through the teen years.
D) disappears around age 40.

Accepted Answer

Brain plasticity involves changes in the brain connected with learning and memory, and continues throughout life. It is not the ability of the brain to fully repair its damaged areas, and is not present only through the teen years or disappears around age 40.

Question 11

EEGs make it possible to
A) study the brain's oxygen use in real time.
B) see the specific size and location of a tumor.
C) detect the electrical activity of specific neurons in monkeys.
D) visualize developmental changes in brain structure.

Accepted Answer

EEGs, or electroencephalograms, are used to detect the electrical activity of the brain. They are particularly useful for studying the overall electrical activity in the brain, such as in humans or animals like monkeys, but they do not provide detailed images of brain structure, oxygen use, or the size and location of tumors.

Question 12

A scientist is interested in understanding how the size of the prefrontal cortex changes between the ages of 9 and 13. Which of the following brain imaging techniques would she be most likely to use?
A) Electroencephalography (EEG)
B) Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
C) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
D) Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that can provide detailed images of the brain's structures, including changes in the size of specific regions. It is non-invasive and can be used to study brain development over time, making it the best choice for this experiment. EEG measures electrical activity in the brain, fMRI measures changes in blood flow and activity, and TMS involves stimulating the brain with magnetic pulses, but none of these techniques provide detailed information about the size of brain structures.

Question 13

A researcher is interested in understanding how the physical structure of the corpus callosum changes from childhood to adulthood. Which of the following would be the most useful brain imaging technique?
A) Electroencephalography (EEG)
B) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
C) Positron emission tomography (PET)
D) Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most useful brain imaging technique for examining structural changes in the brain over time. MRI provides high-resolution images of the brain's anatomy and can track changes in the physical structure of the corpus callosum from childhood to adulthood. EEG measures electrical activity in the brain, PET measures brain metabolism and blood flow, and TMS is used to stimulate or inhibit brain activity. While these techniques can provide valuable information about brain function, they are not as well-suited for examining structural changes over time.

Question 14

A scientist is testing the hypothesis that inhibiting neural activity in the prefrontal cortex could help relieve depression. Which technique would be most useful for testing this hypothesis?
A) Computed tomography (CT)
B) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
C) Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
D) Positron emission tomography (PET)

Accepted Answer

TMS is a technique where magnetic pulses are used to inhibit or stimulate neural activity in the brain. It can be targeted to specific brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex to test the hypothesis that inhibiting neural activity in this area could relieve depression. CT and MRI are imaging techniques that can help visualize the brain, but they do not directly manipulate neural activity. PET is a technique that measures brain activity by detecting radioactive tracers, but it does not directly inhibit or stimulate neural activity.

Question 15

Collecting fMRI data
A) begins with the injection of a radioactive marker.
B) requires control scans and task-specific scans.
C) starts with capturing X-ray data from all possible angles.
D) begins with the placement of sensors on the scalp to detect electrical activity.

Accepted Answer

Collecting fMRI data requires control scans, which establish a baseline of brain activity, and task-specific scans, which are taken while the participant is actively engaging in a specific task or stimulus. The other options (A, C, and D) describe different imaging techniques that are not used in fMRI data collection.

Question 16

Refer to the figure below.
 This mean difference image shows the most active brain areas across participants when they are completing a specific task. If lighter areas mean greater brain activity, what task were participants most likely completing?
A) Speaking
B) Listening to music
C) Touching something with a rough texture
D) Looking at an image

Accepted Answer

The image shows the greatest activity in the occipital lobe, which is responsible for visual processing. Therefore, participants were most likely looking at an image.

Question 17

A scientific paper includes a brain image showing that memory regions are active when research participants tell practiced lies but not when participants tell spontaneous lies. What would you expect this image to be?
A) An MRI image showing activity in the prefrontal cortex
B) An fMRI image showing activity in the limbic system
C) A PET scan image showing activity in the occipital lobe
D) A CT scan image showing activity in the parietal lobe

Accepted Answer

An fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) image is used to detect changes in blood flow, indicating brain activity. It is commonly used in studies investigating human cognition, perception, and behavior. The limbic system is a collection of structures in the brain that are involved in memory and emotion, making it a likely area to be active in a study about lying and memory. Additionally, the prefrontal cortex is generally associated with decision making and planning, making it a plausible option, but not as likely as the limbic system. The occipital and parietal lobes are not directly related to memory or lying and would not be expected to show activity in this type of study.

Question 18

A researcher claims that the same area of the brain is active when we feel physical pain as when we feel hurt by social rejection. Which of the following would support her claims?
A) PET scan results showing strong activation in the amygdala during social rejection
B) An fMRI scan showing intense blood flow in the limbic system during social rejection
C) PET scans showing activity in the sensory cortex when the researcher says hurtful things to the participants
D) Images from fMRI scans that look similar for subjects experiencing physical pain and subjects experiencing social rejection

Accepted Answer

Images from fMRI scans that look similar for subjects experiencing physical pain and subjects experiencing social rejection would support the researcher’s claim that the same area of the brain is active when we feel physical pain as when we feel hurt by social rejection. Choice A would support the claim that the amygdala is involved in social rejection, but does not necessarily support the claim that it is the same area involved in physical pain. Choice B mentions intense blood flow in the limbic system, but does not specify which part of the limbic system is involved. Choice C may show activity in the sensory cortex, but it does not necessarily support the claim that the same area is involved in physical pain and social rejection.

Question 19

The antidepressant medication Prozac works by keeping serotonin from returning to the presynaptic neuron. In other words, it inhibits the _______ process.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The antidepressant medication Prozac works by keeping...

Question 20

A bow hunter has poisoned his arrow tip with curare, which inhibits muscle movement by binding to neurotransmitter receptors. Curare is likely similar in physical structure to _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A bow hunter has poisoned his arrow...

Quiz 3: The Neuroscience of Behavior

Damage to the left cerebral hemisphere would most likely affect a man's ability to

The limbic system is most involved in

In the homunculus that corresponds to the mapping of the somatosensory cortex, which body part occupies the largest area?

Xavier has a disease that disrupts the functioning of his sympathetic nervous system. A likely symptom is

Your roommate has accused you of stealing money from her. Your racing heart and rapid breathing are triggered by your _______ nervous system.

The key role of the central nervous system is to

The technique that detects voltage changes in the brain is

A scientist would most likely use _______ to find out which parts of the brain are involved in performing mathematical calculations.

PET scans

Brain plasticity

EEGs make it possible to

A scientist is interested in understanding how the size of the prefrontal cortex changes between the ages of 9 and 13. Which of the following brain imaging techniques would she be most likely to use?

A researcher is interested in understanding how the physical structure of the corpus callosum changes from childhood to adulthood. Which of the following would be the most useful brain imaging technique?

A scientist is testing the hypothesis that inhibiting neural activity in the prefrontal cortex could help relieve depression. Which technique would be most useful for testing this hypothesis?

Collecting fMRI data

Refer to the figure below. This mean difference image shows the most active brain areas across participants when they are completing a specific task. If lighter areas mean greater brain activity, what task were participants most likely completing?

A scientific paper includes a brain image showing that memory regions are active when research participants tell practiced lies but not when participants tell spontaneous lies. What would you expect this image to be?

A researcher claims that the same area of the brain is active when we feel physical pain as when we feel hurt by social rejection. Which of the following would support her claims?

The antidepressant medication Prozac works by keeping serotonin from returning to the presynaptic neuron. In other words, it inhibits the _______ process.

A bow hunter has poisoned his arrow tip with curare, which inhibits muscle movement by binding to neurotransmitter receptors. Curare is likely similar in physical structure to _______.