Question 1

Which of the following results has NOT been reported in rats that were raised in an enriched environment as compared to rats raised in an impoverished environment?
A) increased number of synapses and synaptic connections
B) thicker myelin sheaths and an increased number of axons
C) increased length of dendrites and more dendritic branches
D) increase in the number of glial cells

Accepted Answer

While enriched environments have been shown to increase synapses, dendritic branches, and glial cells, there is no consistent evidence that they lead to thicker myelin sheaths and an increased number of axons.

Question 2

According to the Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology feature in Chapter 2, in general, the greater the level of aerobic fitness:
A) the greater the increase of blood flow to the hippocampus.
B) the worse people's memories become.
C) the lower the level of endorphins in the brain.
D) the greater the likelihood of developing aphasia.

Accepted Answer

The feature states that "the greater the level of aerobic fitness, the greater the increase of blood flow to the hippocampus," which suggests that aerobic exercise can improve brain function and memory. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. The other options are incorrect as the feature did not mention them.

Question 3

Research has shown that neurogenesis in adult rats can be enhanced by:
A) taking drugs that increase the production of dopamine.
B) living in an enriched environment.
C) constant exposure to bright lights.
D) taking drugs that increase the production of endorphins.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that living in an enriched environment with novel and stimulating activities can enhance neurogenesis in adult rats. The other choices (A, C, and D) do not have consistent evidence for enhancing neurogenesis in adult rats.

Question 4

Which one of the following statements is TRUE?
A) Despite the fact that some people write with their left hand, all humans show left-hemisphere dominance for language functions.
B) The vast majority of people are strongly right-handed, using their right hand for virtually all tasks requiring dexterity.
C) The fact that it is very easy to teach infants and young children to be left-handed strongly suggests that handedness is determined by environmental conditions, not genetics.
D) The percentage of the population that is strongly left-handed is approximately 15 to 20 percent.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that approximately 90% of the population is strongly right-handed and demonstrates left-hemisphere dominance for language functions. This means that statement A is false. While it is possible to teach young children to use their non-dominant hand, handedness is largely determined by genetics rather than environmental factors, making statement C false. The percentage of the population that is strongly left-handed is closer to 10%, making statement D false.

Question 5

Most left-handed people process language in:
A) the left cerebral hemisphere.
B) the right cerebral hemisphere.
C) both cerebral hemispheres.
D) the corpus callosum.

Accepted Answer

Most left-handed people, like right-handed people, primarily process language in the left cerebral hemisphere.

Question 6

Compared with young rats that have been raised in an "impoverished" environment, young rats that have been raised in an "enriched" environment have:
A) more dendritic branches and more synaptic connections in the cerebral cortex.
B) a much stronger tendency to favor their left paws.
C) an enlarged medulla and reticular formation.
D) about half as many glial cells but almost double the number of neurons in their brain.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that rats raised in an enriched environment with opportunities to engage in exploratory behavior, social interaction, and physical exercise have more dendritic branches and synaptic connections in the cerebral cortex compared to rats raised in an impoverished environment. This suggests that environmental stimulation during development can have a significant impact on brain structure and function.

B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the findings of studies on environmental enrichment and brain development in rats.

Question 7

According to the Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology feature in Chapter 2, which of the following is TRUE?
A) A mentally stimulating, intellectually challenging environment is associated with enhanced cognitive functioning.
B) Better-educated people have more synaptic connections than those who are less educated.
C) Compared with young rats that have been raised in an "impoverished" environment, young rats that have been raised in an "enriched" environment have more dendritic branches and more synaptic connections in the cerebral cortex.
D) All of these answers are true.

Accepted Answer

All the statements are true as they highlight the positive effects of stimulating environments and education on cognitive functioning and brain structure.

Question 8

The implication of Pereira's study on exercise and neurogenesis, discussed in the Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology feature in Chapter 2, is that:
A) experience has little or no effect on brain functions or structures.
B) exercising regularly retards the release of endorphins in the brain.
C) neurogenesis is directly correlated with addiction to exercise.
D) exercise promotes the growth of new neurons in the human brain just as it does in other mammals.

Accepted Answer

Pereira's study found that exercise promotes the growth of new neurons in the human brain just as it does in other mammals, indicating that experience does have an effect on brain functions and structures. Endorphin release was not mentioned, and there was no correlation made with addiction to exercise.

Question 9

Based on studies with rats, it is clear that exposure to environmental enrichment:
A) has no detectable effect on the brain.
B) can have an impact on brain development during early life but not in later life.
C) enhances right-hemisphere abilities but not left-hemisphere abilities.
D) produces significant brain changes regardless of the age of the rats.

Accepted Answer

Studies with rats have shown that exposure to environmental enrichment produces significant brain changes regardless of the age of the rats. These changes include increases in brain weight, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and dendritic branching, indicating that environmental enrichment has a positive impact on brain development and function.

Question 10

According to the Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology feature in Chapter 2, living in an enriched environment has been shown to:
A) enhance neurogenesis, increasing the number and survival rate of new neurons.
B) increase the rate at which axons and dendritic spines are pruned in the cerebellum and midbrain regions.
C) increase the rate at which unused neurons are pruned.
D) increase the speed of neurotransmission.

Accepted Answer

Living in an enriched environment has been shown to enhance neurogenesis, increasing the number and survival rate of new neurons.

Quiz 2: Neuroscience and Behavior

Which of the following results has NOT been reported in rats that were raised in an enriched environment as compared to rats raised in an impoverished environment?

According to the Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology feature in Chapter 2, in general, the greater the level of aerobic fitness:

Research has shown that neurogenesis in adult rats can be enhanced by:

Which one of the following statements is TRUE?

Most left-handed people process language in:

Compared with young rats that have been raised in an "impoverished" environment, young rats that have been raised in an "enriched" environment have:

According to the Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology feature in Chapter 2, which of the following is TRUE?

The implication of Pereira's study on exercise and neurogenesis, discussed in the Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology feature in Chapter 2, is that:

Based on studies with rats, it is clear that exposure to environmental enrichment:

According to the Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology feature in Chapter 2, living in an enriched environment has been shown to: