Question 1

The subcortical structure that is key in allowing us to enter new information into the brain's memory banks is called the ________.

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is a subcortical structure that is crucial in the consolidation of new information into memory. It is responsible for transferring short-term memories into long-term memory storage. The other options (medulla, amygdala, and pons) are not directly involved in the memory consolidation process.

Question 2

Ever since Zack suffered a brain injury by falling from a ladder, his wife has continued to tell the doctor that his personality has changed. He used to be fun loving and carefree, but he is now more critical and yells at his children for seemingly little reason. Zack is likely to have suffered damage to the _______ of his cortex.

Accepted Answer

The frontal lobe is responsible for personality, decision making, and regulating behavior. Changes in personality and behavior are common after damage to the frontal lobe.

Question 3

Joella was rollerblading when a cat jumped right in front of her, causing her to trip and fall. When she fell, she partially landed on the front side of her head near her forehead. Shortly afterwards, Joella exhibited symptoms similar to that of Phineas Gage. Which lobe would have been most affected by this fall?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms exhibited by Joella, similar to that of Phineas Gage, suggest damage to the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe is responsible for personality, decision making, social behavior, attention, and problem-solving, among other things. Damage to the frontal lobe can result in changes in personality, impulse control, and decision-making abilities.

Question 4

Subcortical brain structures are primarily located ___________.

Accepted Answer

Subcortical brain structures are located beneath the cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain. They are found deep within the brain, including structures such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and brainstem.

Question 5

After a blow to the head, John (like the patient "H.M.") had great difficulty learning new facts, indicating potential damage to the ________.

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is responsible for the formation and consolidation of new memories, and damage to this area can result in difficulty with learning and retaining new information. The other options listed are not directly involved in memory formation and consolidation.

Question 6

Pat has decided to undergo surgery to treat her severe epilepsy. Consequently, her doctors will use a surgical procedure during which they will sever her ________.

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Severing the corpus callosum is a surgical procedure called a corpus callosotomy, which is sometimes performed in patients with severe epilepsy to reduce the spread of seizures between the two hemispheres.

Question 7

Eating, drinking, sexual behavior, sleeping, and temperature control are most strongly influenced by the ______.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating many physiological functions such as eating, drinking, sexual behavior, sleeping, and temperature control. The hippocampus is more involved in memory processing, the thalamus is responsible for relaying sensory information to the cortex, and the amygdala is associated with emotion and fear.

Question 8

The hypothalamus is located ________ the thalamus.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is located under the thalamus. It is located at the base of the brain and serves as a link between the nervous system and the endocrine system.

Question 9

Phineas Gage tragically had a tamping iron propelled through his head. Both left and right sides of the prefrontal cortex were severely damaged. As a result of the accident, Phineas Gage ___________.

Accepted Answer

Phineas Gage suffered a change in personality as a result of the damage to his prefrontal cortex. He became impulsive, irresponsible, and exhibited poor decision-making skills, which was a stark contrast to his previous personality.

Question 10

The study by Gazzaniga and LeDoux (1978) reviewed in your text was conducted to address which of the following general issues?

Accepted Answer

The study by Gazzaniga and LeDoux (1978) reviewed in the text investigated the practical effects of the division of the brain into two hemispheres, specifically in relation to language processing. The study used split-brain patients as a means to investigate this issue.

Question 11

In trying to determine whether the left hemisphere constructs stories to "fill in gaps" in its knowledge, Gazzaniga and LeDoux (1978) used all of the following techniques in their case study except ________.

Accepted Answer

The technique described in option A was not used; instead, the snow scene was presented to the right hemisphere and the chicken's claw to the left hemisphere.

Question 12

The forebrain includes the ________.

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is a major structure in the forebrain involved in learning and memory. The medulla, pons, and reticular activating system are all located in the brainstem, which is separate from the forebrain.

Question 13

The thalamus could be thought of as being analogous to a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

The thalamus is a central "hub" in the brain that receives sensory information and sends it to appropriate regions for processing. Similarly, an airline hub receives passengers from various locations and routes them to their final destination.

Question 14

Since Norma is a split-brain patient, we can infer that she likely has a history of ________.

Accepted Answer

Split-brain patients typically undergo a corpus callosotomy procedure, which is most commonly done to alleviate severe epilepsy.

Question 15

The ________ is the part of the brain responsible for the formation of long-term memories.

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is a structure in the brain responsible for forming new long-term memories, organizing memories, and spatial navigation. The hypothalamus is involved in regulating basic bodily functions, such as hunger and thirst. The fornix is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the hippocampus to other parts of the brain. The amygdala is involved in emotional processing and fear responses, but is not primarily responsible for memory formation.

Question 16

The hypothalamus controls which of the following functions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The hypothalamus controls which of the following...

Question 17

Traditionally, many have made the analogy that the left brain is to the right brain as ________.

Accepted Answer

The left brain is associated with analytical thinking, while the right brain is associated with perceptual thinking. Therefore, the analogy that the left brain is to the right brain as analytical is to perceptual is the most appropriate choice.

Question 18

The thalamus is often compared to a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

The thalamus acts as a "switching center" for sensory information, directing it to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex for processing.

Question 19

Ito was driving through a rough part of town late at night when a stray bullet hit the front side of his head. Both the left and right sides of his prefrontal cortex were severely damaged. As a result of the accident, Ito most likely ___________.

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex plays a key role in personality, decision-making, and social behavior. Damage to this area can result in significant changes in personality, such as impulsive behavior, decreased empathy, and difficulty controlling emotions. Therefore, the most likely outcome for Ito would be a change in personality. The other options, such as death, loss of limbs, or hearing loss, are not directly related to damage in the prefrontal cortex.

Question 20

What part of the brain acts as a relay station for incoming sensory information?

Accepted Answer

The thalamus acts as a relay station for incoming sensory information, such as touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell, before sending it to the appropriate areas in the cerebral cortex for further processing.

Quiz 2: The Biology of Mind and Behavior: The Brain in Action