Question 1

Fred has been diagnosed with a disease that causes him to forget that his relatives have been to see him. What parts of his brain are likely affected, given this information?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus and amygdala are important areas of the brain for memory formation and emotional processing. Damage or dysfunction in these areas can lead to deficits in long-term memory, including the ability to remember recent visits from family members.

Question 2

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 involved in emotions and memory. The CNS (central nervous system) refers to the brain and spinal cord as a whole, and includes the limbic system. The autonomic and parasympathetic systems are both parts of the peripheral nervous system and are involved in regulating involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion, but are not directly related to emotions and memory.

Question 3

Gustav heard that a new sports drink would bulk up his muscles. He was worried that the stuff would contain steroids but was assured by his coach that it did not. He tried small amounts at first but then became impatient for results and drank a lot. He collapsed and was rushed to the emergency room with a high temperature. Using the information in this chapter, which part of the brain was most affected?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating body temperature and could be affected by the excessive consumption of a sports drink.

Question 4

Two of the divisions of the nervous system are nerves that control voluntary actions and nerves that control involuntary actions. These nerves are both found in the ________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary actions, and the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary actions.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The specific function of cerebrospinal fluid is shock absorption. It acts as a cushion protecting the central nervous system from trauma or injury. It also provides a medium to exchange nutrients and waste products between the blood and the central nervous system.

Question 6

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 vital autonomic functions such as breathing rhythm and heart rate. It is approximately 1 inch in length and located at the base of the brain.

Question 7

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 balance, allowing us to perform tasks requiring precise motor control without falling over.

Question 8

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 is responsible for processing sensory information from the body, including touch, temperature, and pain. When this area was accidentally poked, the patient experienced a sensation of being tickled in the arm. The pons and medulla are lower parts of the brainstem that control basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate, and the occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing.

Question 9

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 regulating vital functions such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. If Ivana can no longer maintain appropriate levels of these functions, it is likely due to the tumor affecting this area. The other options do not have as direct a role in regulating these vital functions.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

The deep groove that runs between the right and left cerebral hemispheres is known as the longitudinal fissure. This fissure divides the brain into two hemispheres, which are connected by a bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum. Choices A and C refer to other fissures located in different regions of the brain. The central fissure is also known as the fissure of Sylvius, which separates the frontal and parietal lobes, while the fissure of Rolando is also known as the central sulcus and separates the frontal and parietal lobes.

Question 11

The NFL has stated that about one in four football players will exhibit signs of cognitive impairment as a result of repeated trauma to the brain. Which of the following is a result of such repeated trauma?

Accepted Answer

Repeated trauma to the brain, such as in football and other contact sports, can lead to all of the mentioned effects. Brain tissue can start to deteriorate, abnormal proteins can build up in the brain tissue, and neurons can be killed off, resulting in cognitive impairment and other brain-related conditions.

Question 12

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 outermost layer of the meninges and is the first layer that the brain surgeon would encounter after removing a portion of the skull during surgery.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The premotor cortex is responsible for planning and initiating voluntary movements, such as moving your leg muscles to pedal a bike.

Question 14

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 long-term memories, particularly for spatial navigation and declarative memory. Difficulty in remembering names and misplacing things are both signs of memory problems, suggesting that the hippocampus may not be functioning properly. The prefrontal cortex is involved in executive functions such as decision-making and planning, while the cerebrum is responsible for numerous functions such as sensation, communication, and movement. The cerebellum is primarily involved in coordination and balance.

Question 15

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 regulating emotions, personality, and social behavior. Damage to this area can result in changes in personality, such as becoming irritable or unfriendly.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information, including taste.

Question 17

Juanita was in an automobile accident and received a bad bump on her head. Although she had been a slender and calm person, after the accident she began to eat a lot and have emotional ups and downs. Her body temperature also fluctuated more dramatically than in the past. What part of her brain is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating eating behavior, emotional responses, and body temperature, among other functions. Damage to this area of the brain can result in the symptoms described, such as increased appetite and emotional instability. The cerebellum is responsible for motor coordination, the midbrain for sensory processing, and the fornix is involved in memory formation. None of these areas would directly account for Juanita's symptoms.

Question 18

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 a structure located under the cerebral hemispheres that is important in sensory experience, motor activity, stimulation of the cerebral cortex, and memory. The hypothalamus is important in regulating homeostasis and controlling the endocrine system. The pons is important in regulating breathing and sleep. The cerebellum is important in motor coordination and balance.

Question 19

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 processing. Damage to this area can lead to difficulties in speaking, known as expressive aphasia, while leaving comprehension intact. The other options are not directly involved in language processing.

Question 20

Which brain structure maintains homeostasis and influences blood pressure, heart rate, digestive activity, breathing rate, and body temperature?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining homeostasis and influences important bodily functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestive activity, breathing rate, and body temperature. The medulla oblongata and cerebellum are also important brain structures, but they do not have as significant a role in maintaining homeostasis. The thalamus is primarily responsible for relaying sensory information.

Quiz 9: The Nervous System