Question 1

Vivian has been experiencing unexplained flashes of light and colour, even when her eyes are closed. She recently saw a neurologist who located a small brain tumour. Where is Vivian's tumour likely to be located?

Accepted Answer

The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual information, and unexplained flashes of light and colour are indicative of abnormal activity in this area. The other options do not have as strong of a connection to visual processing.

Question 2

Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing bodily sensations?

Accepted Answer

The parietal lobe is primarily responsible for processing bodily sensations, including touch, temperature, and pain. It receives and integrates sensory information from the skin, muscles, and joints, and helps us to localize sensations on our body.

Question 3

What is the largest and most complex part of the human brain?

Accepted Answer

The cerebrum is the largest and most complex part of the human brain. It is responsible for conscious thought, sensation, perception, and voluntary movement. It is made up of two hemispheres and is divided into four lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital), each with their own specific functions. The cerebellum is responsible for coordination and balance, the medulla is responsible for vital life functions such as breathing and heart rate, and the limbic system is involved in emotions and memory.

Question 4

Sharif suffered a stroke recently, and now he finds he constantly hears a buzzing sound in his ear. Where is the damage located?

Accepted Answer

The buzzing sound in the ear is known as tinnitus, which can be caused by damage to the auditory system located in the temporal lobe. Therefore, the answer is D.

Question 5

Padraigh woke up one day, unable to reach properly for objects, even though he could both see them and feel them. His doctor determined that Padraigh had a stroke and that the damage was confined to one portion of his brain. Which part is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

The parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information from the body, including touch and spatial perception. Damage to this area can result in difficulty with spatial awareness and reaching for objects.

Question 6

Some theorists believe that the brain contains a sort of "executive control system," which is responsible for monitoring, directing, and organizing thought processes. In which area of the brain would you find this system?

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex has been implicated in executive functions such as working memory, decision-making, and cognitive flexibility, which are all essential components of an executive control system.

Question 7

When Taryk slipped on the stairs and hit his head, he saw "stars" for several minutes. The "stars" were most likely a result of activity in which area of the brain?

Accepted Answer

Seeing "stars" is a common phrase used to describe a temporary visual disturbance, which can be caused by a blow to the head. This type of visual disturbance is typically associated with activation of the occipital lobes, which are responsible for processing visual information.

Question 8

Research by Olds and Milner identified a "pleasure centre" in rat brains and researchers have determined that rats will press a lever thousands of times in order to have a tiny electrode stimulate this area of the brain. What brain area is it?

Accepted Answer

Olds and Milner's research identified the pleasure center in the rat brain as being located in the hypothalamus. Rats were shown to press a lever thousands of times to stimulate this area of the brain.

Question 9

Omar suffered a stroke, and even though he has recovered many functions, he finds he is still relatively insensitive to pain signals from his right leg. In this case, which lobe is damaged?

Accepted Answer

The left parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information from the right side of the body, including pain signals. Damage to this area can result in insensitivity to pain in the right leg.

Question 10

Which of the following is strongly correlated with the amount of motor cortex devoted to each body area?

Accepted Answer

The amount of motor cortex devoted to a body area is strongly correlated with the diversity and complexity of movements that the body area can perform, rather than its size or muscle size.

Question 11

When the brain changes in response to experience, which of the following terms is used to describe that ability to change?

Accepted Answer

The ability of the brain to change in response to experience or learning is called neuroplasticity, making B the correct choice. Flexibility may also be a suitable answer, but it is a broader term that does not necessarily refer specifically to the brain's ability to change. Flux simply means continuous change, and adaptation refers to adjusting or modifying behavior in response to environmental demands, but is not specific to changes in the brain's neural connections.

Question 12

With which of the following can you expect to have problems if you have damaged your temporal lobe?

Accepted Answer

The temporal lobe is primarily responsible for auditory processing and the interpretation of sounds. Damage to this area can lead to hearing problems, including difficulty understanding speech, tinnitus, and auditory hallucinations.

Question 13

Which structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres?

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a broad band of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and allows for communication and integration of information between them. The pineal gland is an endocrine gland located in the brain that secretes melatonin, the thalamus relays sensory information between different brain regions, and the parietal lobe is involved in processing sensory information and spatial awareness. None of these structures connect the two hemispheres.

Question 14

Which lobe of the brain, when electrically stimulated, causes people to report physical sensations as if they had been touched, for example, on the arm?

Accepted Answer

The parietal lobe is responsible for processing information related to touch and physical sensation. When electrically stimulated, it can cause people to report physical sensations as if they had been touched on the arm or other parts of the body.

Question 15

Where do "pleasure centres" in the brain appear to be most heavily concentrated?

Accepted Answer

Pleasure centers are most heavily concentrated in the limbic system, which includes the amygdala, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens. These areas are involved in the regulation of emotions, motivation, and reward processing, and are often associated with pleasure-seeking behaviors such as drug addiction and gambling.

Question 16

Which brain structure is responsible for the human ability to engage in higher mental activity such as thinking and philosophizing?

Accepted Answer

The cerebrum, also known as the cerebral cortex, is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for higher mental activity such as thinking, reasoning, and philosophizing. It is divided into two hemispheres and contains regions for processing sensory information, language, memory, and problem-solving. The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating bodily functions such as hunger and thirst, while the corpus callosum is a structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain. The cerebellum is responsible for coordination and balance. Therefore, the best choice is D) cerebrum.

Question 17

Zoe has a small brain tumour that is pressing on areas in her right frontal lobe. Which of the following would you expect to be the most difficult for Zoe as a result of this tumour?

Accepted Answer

The right frontal lobe is involved in controlling movements on the left side of the body, so a tumour there could impair Zoe's ability to move parts of the left side of her body.

Question 18

Where exactly in the brain should an electrode be placed in order to induce an animal to press a lever that will result in electrical brain stimulation?

Accepted Answer

The medial forebrain bundle is a pathway in the brain that is involved in reward and motivation. Electrical stimulation of this area has been shown to produce self-stimulation behavior in animals, such as pressing a lever or bar to receive the stimulation. Therefore, placing an electrode in this area would likely induce an animal to press a lever for electrical brain stimulation. While the other brain areas listed may also be involved in reward and motivation, the medial forebrain bundle is the most specifically associated with self-stimulation behavior.

Question 19

Stefan has suffered brain damage and, as a result, he shows deficits in attention, planning, and getting organized. Which area was likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for attention, planning, and organization. Damage to this area can result in deficits in these abilities. The other options (medial forebrain bundle, corpus callosum, and hindbrain) are not directly related to attention, planning, and organization.

Question 20

In which lobes of the brain would you find the primary auditory cortex?

Accepted Answer

The primary auditory cortex is located in the temporal lobes, specifically on the upper surface of the temporal lobe, known as the superior temporal gyrus. This area is responsible for processing and interpreting auditory information.

Quiz 3: A:The Biological Bases of Behaviour