Question 1

Which brain structure maintains homeostasis and influences blood pressure,heart rate,digestive activity,breathing rate,and other important physiological functions in the body?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining homeostasis and regulating important physiological functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and breathing rate. It also controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland, which further regulates many bodily functions. The medulla oblongata also plays a role in regulating vital functions, but it is primarily responsible for controlling reflexes and basic functions such as breathing and heart rate. The thalamus is responsible for relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex, and the cerebellum primarily coordinates movement and balance.

Question 2

Perry joined the National Guard and was sent overseas to a war zone.While on duty,an improvised explosive device went off near him and he barely escaped unharmed.What would be true of his nervous system?

Accepted Answer

The situation described would likely activate Perry's fight or flight response, which is governed by the sympathetic nervous system. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are the primary neurotransmitters released by the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress and danger. Choice A is incorrect because parasympathetic impulses would not be increased in this situation. Choice B is incorrect because sympathetic impulses would be increased, not reduced. Choice C is incorrect because sympathetic neurons release norepinephrine, not acetylcholine.

Question 3

Wow! That medicine really tasted bitter! In which lobe of the cerebrum did you consciously think about that?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

Dr.Ling,the famous brain surgeon,removes a portion of the skull during surgery.Which of the meninges does she see first?

Accepted Answer

The dura mater is the tough, outermost layer of the meninges that surrounds and protects the brain. It is the layer that Dr. Ling would see first when she removes a portion of the skull during surgery.

Question 5

During an automobile accident,Susan received a serious head injury to the left side.Afterward she had a hard time speaking,although she showed that she understood what was being said to her.Which area of her cerebrum was damaged?

Accepted Answer

The frontal lobe is responsible for speech production and language comprehension. Damage to this area can lead to difficulty speaking, but the patient may still be able to understand what is being said.

Question 6

Stress,relaxation,hunger,consuming the wrong foods,and too much or too little sleep can contribute to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Stress, relaxation, hunger, consuming the wrong foods, and too much or too little sleep can all contribute to causing a headache. None of the other options are related to these factors.

Question 7

Ivana has a rapidly growing brain tumor and must be put on life support because she can no longer maintain appropriate heart and respiratory rates.She is also having trouble maintaining blood pressure.The most likely area that the tumor is affecting is the ________.

Accepted Answer

The medulla oblongata is responsible for controlling vital functions such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. A tumor in this area can disrupt these functions and require the use of life support.

Question 8

Which of these structures is located under the cerebral hemispheres and is important in sensory experience,motor activity,stimulation of the cerebral cortex,and memory?

Accepted Answer

The thalamus is located under the cerebral hemispheres and is responsible for sensory experience, motor activity, stimulation of the cerebral cortex, and memory. The hypothalamus is important in maintaining homeostasis, the pons is involved in sleep and respiration, and the cerebellum is responsible for coordination and balance.

Question 9

This 1-inch section of the brain controls the breathing rhythm and heart rate.

Accepted Answer

The medulla oblongata is a part of the brainstem that controls many essential involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. It contains several important centers for these functions, including the respiratory rhythmicity center and the cardiac center. Damage to the medulla can be life-threatening as it can lead to cessation of breathing and cardiac arrest.

Question 10

When you ride your bike to class,what area of the cerebrum are you using to move your leg muscles?

Accepted Answer

The premotor cortex is responsible for planning and coordinating movements, including those involved in cycling such as moving the legs. The corpus callosum is responsible for communication between the two hemispheres of the brain and is not directly involved in motor movements. The somatosensory cortex is responsible for processing sensory information related to touch, temperature, and pain, and does not directly control motor movements. Broca's area is responsible for language production and is not involved in motor movements related to cycling.

Question 11

Tunde has started to forget where she puts things and often forgets the names of people she has just met.What part of her brain is most likely not performing properly,according to the information in the text?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is responsible for the formation and retrieval of memories. Tunde's difficulty with remembering where she puts things and the names of people she has just met suggest a problem with her hippocampus. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision making and personality expression, the cerebrum is responsible for conscious thought and movement, and the cerebellum is responsible for coordination and balance, none of which are directly related to memory function.

Question 12

Which of the following is a specific function of the cerebrospinal fluid?

Accepted Answer

The cerebrospinal fluid serves as a cushion for the brain, providing shock absorption during movements and impacts.

Question 13

Sam was in a terrible head-on collision.When he recovered from all of the obvious,external injuries,the once affable and happy-go-lucky person had become surly and very unfriendly.Which part of his cerebrum was most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for personality, decision making, social behavior, and emotional regulation. Damage to this area can result in changes in personality, mood, and behavior. Sam's change in behavior from affable and happy-go-lucky to surly and unfriendly is consistent with damage to the prefrontal cortex.

Question 14

A very deep groove that runs between the right and left cerebral hemispheres is called the ________.

Accepted Answer

The longitudinal fissure is a very deep groove that runs between the right and left cerebral hemispheres, separating the two halves of the brain.

Question 15

The patient is awake many times during brain surgery.In an operation to remove a brain tumor,Dr.Judson accidentally poked a certain area of the cerebrum,whereupon the patient said: "Why is my arm being tickled?" What area was poked?

Accepted Answer

The primary somatosensory area in the cerebrum is responsible for sensation and perception of touch, pressure, and other somatic senses. When this area was poked, the patient felt a tickling sensation in their arm. This also suggests that the patient was awake during the surgery, as they were able to provide feedback to the surgeon in real-time.

Question 16

If you go to the refrigerator and reach in to take out a drink,you will not normally fall over because of this part of the brain.

Accepted Answer

The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating movement and maintaining balance. When reaching into the refrigerator, the cerebellum is activated in order to ensure that the body stays upright and balanced. The other parts of the brain listed do not play as direct a role in maintaining balance and would therefore not prevent a person from falling over when reaching into the refrigerator.

Question 17

Charles is comatose.What part of his brain is not working properly?

Accepted Answer

The reticular activating system is responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle and keeping the brain alert and conscious. If Charles is in a coma, it suggests that this system is not functioning correctly. The other brain regions listed are not directly involved in regulating consciousness.

Question 18

Which of the following structures connects the spinal cord to the rest of the brain and influences breathing rhythm and blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

The medulla oblongata connects the spinal cord to the brain and regulates vital functions such as breathing and blood pressure.

Question 19

Which of the following can be defined as a collection of structures involved in emotions and memory?

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is a collection of structures in the brain that are involved in emotions and memory, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. The CNS (central nervous system) encompasses the brain and spinal cord, and while it plays a role in emotions and memory, it is a larger and more general category. The autonomic system and parasympathetic system are subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system, and while they also play a role in emotions and memory, they are not as directly involved as the limbic system.

Question 20

You are generally not aware of the texture of the cloth of your shirt as it rests on your shoulders,unless someone or something happens to make you think of it.What part of the brain is responsible for filtering out such stimuli?

Accepted Answer

The reticular activating center is responsible for filtering out insignificant stimuli, allowing the brain to focus on important information.

Quiz 8: The Nervous System