Question 1

Which of the following statements is true regarding sex differences in the brain?
A) The brains of males and females do not differ.
B) There are biochemical differences, but not anatomical differences, between male and female brains.
C) Males are more likely to be right-brained and females are more likely to be left-brained.
D) Ideology often gets in the way of interpreting research on sex differences and the brain.

Accepted Answer

There is ongoing debate and controversy over the extent and nature of sex differences in the brain, and it can be difficult to separate scientific findings from cultural and ideological biases. Therefore, it is important to approach research on this topic with a critical eye and recognize the limitations and potential biases in the studies.

Question 2

The right hemisphere of the brain:
A) excels in the ability to read facial expressions.
B) has a "mental module" that constantly tries to explain actions that are nonverbal.
C) excels in logical, sequential, and symbolic tasks, such as solving math problems.
D) is responsible for language processing in most individuals.

Accepted Answer

The right hemisphere of the brain excels in the ability to read facial expressions, among other skills such as spatial awareness and recognizing patterns.

Question 3

Dr. Parwa is studying neurogenesis. He is seeing the impact of ______ on the growth of new brain cells.
A) chemicals
B) electricity
C) experience
D) magnetic stimulation

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Parwa is studying neurogenesis. He is...

Question 4

Dr. Singh is interested in how frightening stimuli can slow digestion. Dr. Singh is interested in the behaviour of:
A) the autonomic nervous system.
B) the sympathetic nervous system.
C) the central nervous system.
D) the somatic nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions such as digestion, heart rate, and breathing. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it can slow digestion in order to divert energy to other tasks, such as fighting or fleeing.

Question 5

Matias has a severe mood transmitter caused by a problem with neurotransmitters in his brain. What is the most likely source of Matias's problem?
A) He has too few dopamine-producing cells.
B) He has too many dopamine-producing cells.
C) He has too few serotonin-producing cells.
D) He has too few glutamate-producing cells.

Accepted Answer

Matias has a severe mood transmitter caused by a problem with neurotransmitters in his brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in mood regulation. If Matias has too few dopamine-producing cells, he will not have enough dopamine to regulate his mood, which could lead to a severe mood disorder.

Question 6

Abnormally low levels of serotonin and dopamine have been associated with harmful effects. Explain these effects and describe what psychologists know about this relationship using your knowledge of correlational studies. What might be an easy assumption to make that may not necessarily be accurate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Abnormally low levels of serotonin and dopamine...

Question 7

If you were to randomly sample 100 cells from the brain, approximately how many of them will be neurons?
A) 10
B) 40
C) 90
D) 100

Accepted Answer

The brain is composed of a large number of glial cells compared to neurons. Neurons make up about 10% of the total brain cells.

Question 8

Linguistic and analytic skills are typically handled by the:
A) right half of your brain.
B) left half of your brain.
C) top half of your brain.
D) back half of your brain.

Accepted Answer

Linguistic and analytic skills are typically handled by the left half of the brain, also known as the language center or Broca's area.

Question 9

Describe in detail the two main parts of the nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe in detail the two main parts...

Question 10

Andrej was in an accident and his spinal cord was severely injured. Which of the following reflexes will likely be unaffected by his injury?
A) sneezing
B) pulling his hand away from a hot object
C) getting an erection
D) the knee jerk response

Accepted Answer

Sneezing is a reflex that is controlled by the brainstem, not the spinal cord, so it would likely be unaffected by a spinal cord injury.

Question 11

The autonomic nervous system is divided into two parts that work together but in opposing ways. Describe the functions of each part in detail, and create an example which illustrates the activation of one part and then the other.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The autonomic nervous system is divided into...

Question 12

Which of the following is true regarding the effects of culture on the brain?
A) Bilingual people use different parts of their brains for their two languages.
B) Illiterate individuals tend to have more white matter in a part of the parietal cortex.
C) Technological literacy cannot affect brain activity.
D) The patterns of brain activity during mathematical processing are the same in all humans.

Accepted Answer

Bilingual individuals have been shown to recruit different areas of their brains for each of their languages, leading researchers to suggest that bilingualism can lead to a heightened ability to focus attention and multitask. Option B is partially true in that studies have shown that illiterate individuals tend to have more white matter in a part of the brain called the parietal cortex, which is thought to be due to compensatory mechanisms for the lack of reading and writing. Option C is false, as studies have shown that technological literacy can indeed affect brain activity, particularly in the areas related to decision-making and attention. Option D is false, as studies have shown that the patterns of brain activity during mathematical processing can vary based on factors such as familiarity with the task and cultural background.

Question 13

The brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience through neurogenesis or by reorganizing or growing new neural connections is called:
A) constructivism.
B) proliferation.
C) optimization.
D) plasticity.

Accepted Answer

The ability of the brain to change and adapt in response to experience through neurogenesis or by reorganizing or growing new neural connections is known as plasticity.

Question 14

What can be learned by studying patients who have had a part of the brain damaged because of disease or injury? What can be learned by studying individuals whose disorders have required surgical lesions? What are the drawbacks of the case study method? Include in your essay an evaluation of the case studies of Phineas Gage and split-brain patients.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What can be learned by studying patients...

Question 15

For years, the conventional assumption in neuroscience had been that neurons in the central nervous system could neither reproduce nor regenerate, but research has proven otherwise. Explain the startling results of studies that have overthrown the conventional wisdom regarding neuronal regeneration.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For years, the conventional assumption in neuroscience...

Question 16

Dr. Atkinson is interested in the pluripotent aspect of stem cells. Her research most likely focuses on:
A) stem cells' ability to develop into different specialist cells.
B) stem cells' ability to regenerate after they have died.
C) stem cells' ability to multiply rapidly.
D) stem cells' ability to become stronger than average neurons.

Accepted Answer

Pluripotent stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various types of specialized cells, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, or skin cells. This ability makes them potentially very valuable for medical research and therapy.

Question 17

The best split-brain researchers would agree that:
A) the mental skills of the left hemisphere are superior to those of the right hemisphere.
B) in normal brains, the left and right hemispheres cooperate naturally in everyday activities.
C) the mental skills of the right hemisphere are superior to those of the left hemisphere.
D) the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere are exactly the same.

Accepted Answer

The best split-brain researchers would agree that in normal brains, the left and right hemispheres cooperate naturally in everyday activities. While each hemisphere may have slightly different functions and strengths, both are necessary for overall cognitive functioning. No authoritative research establishes one hemisphere as superior to the other or that they are exactly the same.

Question 18

Many axons, especially the larger ones, are insulated with a myelin sheath. Write an essay on the importance of the myelin sheath, making sure to incorporate the following information:
- What kind of cells make up the myelin sheath?
- What does the myelin sheath look like?
- What are two purposes of the myelin sheath?
- What happens when a person experiences the loss of myelin?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many axons, especially the larger ones, are...

Question 19

As a critical thinker in psychology, it is important to recognize that:
A) the overlap between the sexes is less than the differences between them.
B) biological differences between the sexes always have implications for behaviour.
C) brain differences could be the result, not the cause, of behavioural differences between the sexes.
D) animal studies show that sex differences in the brain do not affect behaviour.

Accepted Answer

As a critical thinker in psychology, it is important to recognize that while there are some differences between the sexes, including biological differences, it is not necessarily a causal relationship. In fact, it is possible that brain differences could be the result of differential experiences and environmental factors, rather than simply the cause of behavioural differences between the sexes. Therefore, choice C is the most accurate and nuanced position to take as a critical thinker in psychology.

Question 20

Which of the following is true?
A) Our brains are fully formed at birth.
B) Adulthood is the greatest period of plasticity for the brain.
C) Our experiences can change the "wiring" of our brains.
D) Human brains lose the ability to physically change in adulthood.

Accepted Answer

Our experiences can change the "wiring" of our brains. This is due to the concept of neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt based on new experiences and learning. This process can occur throughout our lifespan, though it may be more pronounced in childhood and adolescence. Therefore, options A, B, and D are incorrect.

Quiz 4: The Brain and Nervous System

Which of the following statements is true regarding sex differences in the brain?

The right hemisphere of the brain:

Dr. Parwa is studying neurogenesis. He is seeing the impact of ______ on the growth of new brain cells.

Dr. Singh is interested in how frightening stimuli can slow digestion. Dr. Singh is interested in the behaviour of:

Matias has a severe mood transmitter caused by a problem with neurotransmitters in his brain. What is the most likely source of Matias's problem?

Abnormally low levels of serotonin and dopamine have been associated with harmful effects. Explain these effects and describe what psychologists know about this relationship using your knowledge of correlational studies. What might be an easy assumption to make that may not necessarily be accurate?

If you were to randomly sample 100 cells from the brain, approximately how many of them will be neurons?

Linguistic and analytic skills are typically handled by the:

Describe in detail the two main parts of the nervous system.

Andrej was in an accident and his spinal cord was severely injured. Which of the following reflexes will likely be unaffected by his injury?

The autonomic nervous system is divided into two parts that work together but in opposing ways. Describe the functions of each part in detail, and create an example which illustrates the activation of one part and then the other.

Which of the following is true regarding the effects of culture on the brain?

The brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience through neurogenesis or by reorganizing or growing new neural connections is called:

Dr. Atkinson is interested in the pluripotent aspect of stem cells. Her research most likely focuses on:

The best split-brain researchers would agree that:

As a critical thinker in psychology, it is important to recognize that:

Which of the following is true?