Question 1

Dendrites, which are large treelike processes extending from a neuron, are said to be presynaptic.

Accepted Answer

Dendrites are not presynaptic, but rather postsynaptic, meaning that they receive signals from other neurons at synapses. Presynaptic refers to the neurons that send signals to other neurons at synapses.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the reason for substantial growth of the human brain from birth to adulthood?

Accepted Answer

The formation of synapses (connections between neurons) and growth of dendritic trees (branches on neurons that receive signals) allow for communication between neurons and the processing of information, leading to brain growth and development from birth to adulthood. A and D are not incorrect but do not fully explain the overall reason for growth of the human brain. B is not a valid explanation for brain development.

Question 3

This type of early cell line is the precursor to the cells that will compose the nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The ectoderm is the outermost layer in the early embryo and is responsible for forming the nervous system as well as the skin and hair. This means that the precursor to the cells that will compose the nervous system would be found in the ectoderm layer. The blastula is an early stage of development before gastrulation, and while the endoderm and gastrula are important in forming other structures in the body, they would not be the precursor to the nervous system.

Question 4

The cell body of a neuron contains the same machinery found in most cells, including a nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria.

Accepted Answer

The cell body (soma) of a neuron does contain the same organelles found in most cells, including a nucleus, ribosomes for protein synthesis, and mitochondria for energy production. However, neurons also have unique structures, such as dendrites and axons, that allow them to communicate with other cells.

Question 5

Of the following choices, the most anterior portion of the frontal lobes-the prefrontal cortex-is most critical to

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is most critical to executive functions, which involve higher-level cognitive processes such as decision making, planning, working memory, and attention. This area of the brain is responsible for thinking about the future, predicting outcomes, and assessing risk, among other things. It is also involved in regulating emotions and social behavior. Processing information about pain, touch, and temperature would likely involve areas of the parietal and somatosensory cortices, while the "what" and "where" visual pathways primarily involve areas of the occipital and parietal lobes.

Question 6

The primary auditory cortex is organized using a tonotopic map, which means that there is an orderly representation of

Accepted Answer

A tonotopic map means that neurons in the primary auditory cortex are arranged according to the frequency of the sound they respond to. This organization is similar to the arrangement of keys on a piano, where low-frequency sounds activate neurons at one end of the map, and high-frequency sounds activate neurons at the other end. Loudness, duration, and spatial location are represented in different regions of the auditory cortex.

Question 7

Parts of the brain where metabolic activity is relatively high are characterized by

Accepted Answer

Elevated regional blood flow is the best choice, as increased metabolic activity in the brain requires more oxygen and nutrients, which are delivered through increased blood flow to the area.

The other options (B, C, D) are not directly related to metabolic activity in the brain. Increased cerebrospinal fluid production and greater concentrations of calcium ions may be associated with certain brain functions or conditions, but they are not general indicators of metabolic activity. Myelination is important for neural communication, but it is not directly related to metabolic activity either.

Question 8

The frontal lobe is ________ to the occipital lobe, whereas the temporal lobe is ________ to the parietal lobe.

Accepted Answer

The frontal lobe is located anteriorly to the occipital lobe, whereas the temporal lobe is located inferiorly to the parietal lobe. Option B correctly identifies these positions. Option A reverses the positions of the occipital and frontal lobes, and option C uses the term "caudal" instead of inferior which can be confusing in this context. Option D reverses the positions of the parietal and temporal lobes.

Question 9

The cells in the brain that guide migrating neurons to their final locations are called

Accepted Answer

Radial glia are a type of neural progenitor cell that extends from the ventricles to the outer surface of the brain. During brain development, migrating neurons rely on these radial glia to guide them to their final destination in the brain. Microglia are immune cells in the brain, oligodendrocytes produce myelin to insulate neurons, and ventricular cells line the ventricles in the brain.

Question 10

Action potentials are electrical signals that are conducted down the axon of a neuron.

Accepted Answer

Action potentials are indeed electrical signals that are conducted down the axon of a neuron.

Question 11

Which of the following statements regarding the prenatal development of the human nervous system is correct?

Accepted Answer

Ectoderm cells are the precursors of the entire nervous system, including both the brain and the spinal cord. Glial cells and neurons are both derived from ectoderm cells. Mesoderm cells contribute to the development of the skeletal system, muscles, and other organs, but not to the nervous system. Endoderm cells give rise to the lining of the digestive and respiratory systems, but not to the nervous system.

Question 12

All of the following terms refer to the same cortical region that processes visual input EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Heschl's gyrus is a region in the temporal lobe that primarily processes auditory information, not visual information. The other three terms (striate cortex, area V1, and Brodmann area 17) all refer to the same region in the occipital lobe that processes visual input.

Question 13

The volume of cortex that is not sensory or motor has traditionally been termed ________ cortex.

Accepted Answer

The cortex that is not involved in sensory or motor functions is referred to as association cortex. This cortex is responsible for higher cognitive functions, such as language, abstract thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. The other options, extrastriate and cognitive, are not commonly used terms for this specific part of the cortex. Equipotentiality is a theory that suggests all parts of the cortex have equal potential for any function, which has been largely disproven.

Question 14

The primary visual cortex, or V1, is located in

Accepted Answer

The primary visual cortex, also known as V1 or the striate cortex, is located in the occipital lobe at the back of the brain. Brodmann area 41 is part of the auditory cortex, Heschl's gyrus is also in the auditory cortex, and the Sylvian fissure is a deep groove that separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.

Question 15

A patient recently suffered a traumatic blow to the head. She reports that she is having social difficulties, such as adding inappropriate comments to conversations. She cannot seem to control these outbursts. Which area of her cortex is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

The anterior frontal lobe, specifically the prefrontal cortex, is responsible for executive functions such as impulse control, decision-making, and social behavior. Damage to this area can result in inappropriate social behavior, as described in the scenario. The other areas listed are not directly related to social behavior.

Question 16

The term selective permeability refers to the fact that a cell membrane will allow some ions to pass through more readily than others.

Accepted Answer

Selective permeability is one of the fundamental properties of a cell membrane. It means that the membrane is selectively permeable to certain molecules and ions, allowing them to pass through more easily than others. This is possible because of the presence of different types of protein channels and transporters in the membrane that are specific to certain molecules and ions. As a result, the membrane can control the movement of substances in and out of the cell, which is essential for maintaining cellular functions and homeostasis.

Question 17

A team of scientists from California and Sweden (Eriksson et al., 1998) administered BrdU, a synthetic form of thymidine, to patients. Which of the following best summarizes the findings from these procedures?

Accepted Answer

The administration of BrdU in the study indicates that new neurons are produced in the adult human brain.

Question 18

____________________ refers to the process of rapid cell division that occurs early in development of the nervous system.

Accepted Answer

Neuronal proliferation refers to the rapid cell division that occurs early in the development of the nervous system. This process leads to the formation of a large number of precursor cells that will differentiate into different types of neurons and glial cells.

Question 19

The resting potential of a neuron is typically +40 to +90 millivolts (mV).

Accepted Answer

The resting potential of a neuron is typically -70 millivolts (mV).

Question 20

The neocortex contains ______ cortical layers, with ________ typically being the input layer.

Accepted Answer

The neocortex contains six cortical layers, with layer IV typically being the input layer.

Quiz 2: Structure and Function of the Nervous System