Question 1

The peak of synaptic overproduction in the ________ occurs at about the fourth postnatal month.

Accepted Answer

The peak of synaptic overproduction occurs in the visual cortex at about the fourth postnatal month. This is when the visual system undergoes significant development and refinement, allowing for better visual perception and discrimination.

Question 2

________ are tiny gaps, or junctions, between neurons' fibers.

Accepted Answer

Synapses are the tiny gaps or junctions between neurons' fibers where neurotransmitters are exchanged to allow for communication between neurons. Dendrites are the fibers that receive signals from other neurons, myelin sheaths are the fatty coverings that protect and insulate fibers, and neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons at synapses.

Question 3

In the context of neurons, which of the following statements is true of the myelin sheath?

Accepted Answer

The myelin sheath is a layer of fat cells that wraps around the axon of a neuron, insulating it and allowing electrical signals to travel faster down the axon. This is because the myelin sheath prevents the electrical signal from leaking out, forcing it to jump between small gaps in the myelin called nodes of Ranvier, which speeds up transmission.

Question 4

Which of the following is involved in providing energy to neurons and aids communication?

Accepted Answer

Myelination involves the formation of a fatty layer around the axons of neurons which helps in transmitting electrical impulses faster and more efficiently. This process requires energy and thus, provides energy to neurons. Additionally, myelination aids in communication between neurons as it allows for faster transmission of signals.

Question 5

Which of the following is true of synaptic overproduction with respect to synaptic connections between neurons?

Accepted Answer

Synaptic overproduction is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, affecting its timing and progression.

Question 6

Most neuroscientists agree that complex functions such as reading or performing music involve

Accepted Answer

Most complex functions, such as reading or performing music, involve the use of both hemispheres of the brain. While the left hemisphere is generally considered the language center and the right hemisphere is typically associated with spatial and creative processing, both hemispheres work together to accomplish these more complex tasks.

Question 7

In the context of the brain's development, which of the following statements is true of lateralization?

Accepted Answer

Lateralization refers to the specialization of function in one hemisphere of the cerebral cortex or the other. This means that certain functions, such as language processing or spatial awareness, are primarily controlled by one side of the brain. This specialization occurs during the brain's development, and allows for efficient processing of information.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true about the specialization of function in a hemisphere of the brain?

Accepted Answer

While it is true that certain functions are predominantly localized in one hemisphere over the other (e.g. language processing is primarily in the left hemisphere), the specialization of function is not as clear-cut as popular culture may suggest. Complex thinking, including both logical and creative thinking, actually involves communication between both hemispheres of the brain. Studies have shown that both hemispheres of the brain work together to solve complex problems and engage in creative activities. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 9

When babies engage in physical activity or use language, some synaptic connections will be strengthened, while the unused ones will be replaced by other pathways or disappear. A neuroscientist would identify this process as

Accepted Answer

Pruning refers to the process by which the brain eliminates or "prunes" weaker or unused neural pathways to make the brain more efficient. This process occurs naturally in early childhood development as the brain eliminates unnecessary connections and strengthens others through repeated use.

Question 10

In the context of the fibers that extend from a neuron's cell body, the fiber that carries signals toward the neuron's cell body is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

Dendrites are the fibers that extend from a neuron's cell body that carry signals toward the neuron's cell body. Axons, on the other hand, carry signals away from the cell body. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals between neurons, while synapses are the junctions where these signals are transmitted.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true about the involvement of the left and right hemispheres of the brain in performing different functions?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the right hemisphere of the brain is more involved in tasks related to humor and understanding metaphors. However, it is important to note that brain functions are often spread across both hemispheres and are not necessarily isolated to just one side.

Question 12

Which of the following is true of the prefrontal cortex of the brain?

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher-level thinking processes like decision-making, planning, and problem-solving, as well as regulating behavior and emotions.

Question 13

Your ability to process language in the left hemisphere of the brain and spatial thinking in the right hemisphere of the brain is called

Accepted Answer

The ability to process different functions in different hemispheres of the brain is known as lateralization.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true of how neurons change in the first years of life?

Accepted Answer

During the first years of life, synaptic connections are pruned and strengthened based on their usage. The connections that are used frequently become stronger and survive, while the unused ones are replaced by other pathways or disappear. This process is crucial for efficient brain function and allows for the development of skills and abilities. Choices A, B, and D are all incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the process of neural development in the first years of life.

Question 15

In the context of the fibers that extend from a neuron's cell body, the fiber that carries signals away from the neuron's cell body is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

The axon is the long fiber that extends away from the neuron's cell body and carries signals away from the cell body to other neurons or cells. Dendrites, on the other hand, are shorter fibers that receive signals from other neurons and transmit those signals to the cell body. Neurotransmitters are chemicals released by neurons to transmit signals across synapses, which are the small gaps between neurons or between neurons and cells. Therefore, the correct choice is A) axon.

Question 16

Which of the following is most likely to allow information to pass from neuron to neuron?

Accepted Answer

Chemical interactions in synapses that connect axons and dendrites are the primary way in which information is passed from neuron to neuron. When an action potential reaches the terminal button of a neuron, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These neurotransmitters diffuse across the cleft and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron's dendrites, causing channels to open and allowing ions to flow in and out of the neuron. This creates a new action potential in the postsynaptic neuron, allowing the signal to be passed on to the next neuron in the circuit.

Question 17

A fall from the changing table resulted in damage to the temporal lobe of Emily's brain. Her doctor told her parents that this would most likely affect her

Accepted Answer

The temporal lobe is involved in memory function, so damage to this area of the brain is likely to affect Emily's memory.

Question 18

When do the hemispheres of the cerebral cortex begin to specialize?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When do the hemispheres of the cerebral...

Question 19

________ refers to the process of encasing axons with fat cells.

Accepted Answer

Myelination refers to the process of encasing axons with fat cells, which allows for faster and more efficient transmission of electrical signals in the nervous system. Lateralization refers to the specialization of different functions in the two hemispheres of the brain, habituation refers to a decrease in responsiveness to a repeated or continuous stimulus, and transmission refers to the process of sending signals between neurons.

Question 20

A message in the brain is "ferried" across the synapse by a ________, which pours out information contained in chemicals when it crosses the synapse.

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are chemicals released by the terminal button of a neuron to carry signals to the next neuron or muscle cell. They cross the synaptic gap and bind to receptors on the dendrites of the next cell, continuing the communication process. Myelin sheaths are insulating layers around neuron axons that increase the speed of signal transmission. Dendrites receive signals from other neurons. Terminal buttons are the tips of axons that release neurotransmitters.

Quiz 4: Physical Development in Infancy