Question 1

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex processes auditory information and supports language comprehension and production?
A) occipital lobe
B) temporal lobe
C) parietal lobe
D) frontal lobe

Accepted Answer

The temporal lobe is responsible for processing auditory information and plays a key role in language comprehension and production.

Question 2

Which brain structures act to stabilize voluntary movements?
A) hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala
B) hippocampus, thalamus, and substantia nigra
C) basal ganglia, thalamus, and substantia nigra
D) basal ganglia, thalamus, and amygdala

Accepted Answer

The basal ganglia, thalamus, and substantia nigra are involved in the regulation and stabilization of voluntary movements, playing key roles in movement control and coordination.

Question 3

Which tract crosses from one hemisphere of the brain to the opposite side of the body, sending motor information to the limbs, hands, and feet?
A) medial corticospinal tract
B) lateral corticospinal tract
C) dorsal spinocerebellar tract
D) cuneocerebellar tract

Accepted Answer

The lateral corticospinal tract is responsible for carrying motor signals from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord, crossing over (decussating) at the medulla oblongata, thus controlling movements in the limbs, hands, and feet on the opposite side of the body.

Question 4

Megan is walking to the student center, lost in deep thought, when her friend Roman runs up behind her, tapping her on the shoulder. Megan, startled by Roman, jumps and gasps for air. Which brain structure is responsible for Megan's startle reflex?
A) pons
B) cerebellum
C) basal ganglia
D) hippocampus

Accepted Answer

The pons is part of the brainstem that plays a key role in arousal and the regulation of sleep-wake cycles. It is involved in initiating the startle reflex, a sudden reaction to unexpected stimuli.

Question 5

Which structure is part of the forebrain?
A) medulla
B) cerebellum
C) thalamus
D) pons

Accepted Answer

The thalamus is part of the forebrain, which is responsible for relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, as well as the regulation of consciousness, sleep, and alertness.

Question 6

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex supports decision making and movement?
A) occipital lobe
B) temporal lobe
C) parietal lobe
D) frontal lobe

Accepted Answer

The frontal lobe is responsible for decision making, problem solving, control of purposeful behaviors, consciousness, and emotions. It also plays a significant role in voluntary movement.

Question 7

The autonomic nervous system is controlled by the ____.
A) medulla
B) limbic system
C) thalamus
D) basal ganglia

Accepted Answer

The medulla, part of the brainstem, plays a crucial role in regulating autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Question 8

The first drugs to treat schizophrenia, called antipsychotic drugs, caused Parkinson-like symptoms. Why?
A) Antipsychotic drugs disrupt neurons in the substantia nigra.
B) Antipsychotic drugs damage neurons in the thalamus.
C) Antipsychotic drugs cause demyelination of the corticospinal tracts.
D) Antipsychotic drugs increase the number of dopamine receptors.

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic drugs, particularly the first-generation or typical antipsychotics, work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. The substantia nigra is a region in the brain that plays an important role in movement and is affected in Parkinson's disease due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. By blocking dopamine receptors, antipsychotic drugs can mimic Parkinson-like symptoms, such as tremors and rigidity, because they reduce the action of dopamine, which is essential for normal movement control. This effect is not due to direct damage to neurons in the substantia nigra, but rather the blockade of dopamine receptors which mimics the dopamine deficiency seen in Parkinson's disease.

Question 9

Ted is studying for his neuropsychology exam. How is cerebral blood flow to Ted's prefrontal cortex likely to respond to his studying?
A) Blood flow will remain constant.
B) Blood flow will decrease.
C) Blood flow will increase.
D) Blood flow will show variable changes.

Accepted Answer

Blood flow to the prefrontal cortex increases during tasks that require concentration and cognitive effort, such as studying for an exam.

Question 10

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex processes touch information from the body?
A) occipital lobe
B) temporal lobe
C) parietal lobe
D) frontal lobe

Accepted Answer

The parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information from the body, including touch, temperature, and pain.

Question 11

After a recent bicycle accident, 11 year old Todd cannot do things that were once routine, such as such as riding a bike. Damage to which of Todd's brain structure disrupted Todd's procedural memory required for riding his bike?
A) basal ganglia
B) amygdala
C) pons
D) hypothalamus

Accepted Answer

The basal ganglia are involved in the control and regulation of voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, routine behaviors or "habits" such as riding a bike, eye movements, cognition, and emotion. Damage to the basal ganglia can disrupt procedural memory, making it difficult to perform tasks that were once routine.

Question 12

Second-grade teacher Ms. Frascella calls upon her star pupil, Jeremy, to recite the capitals of all 50 states. Which type of memory will Jeremy use to recall this information?
A) short-term memory
B) sensory memory
C) working memory
D) long-term memory

Accepted Answer

Jeremy will use his long-term memory to recall the capitals of all 50 states, as this type of memory is responsible for storing information for extended periods, often throughout a person's life.

Question 13

The nucleus accumbens is also called the brain's ____ center.
A) reward
B) command
C) motor control
D) perception

Accepted Answer

The nucleus accumbens is known as the brain's reward center because it plays a central role in the reward circuit. Its operation is associated with the release of dopamine and is involved in reinforcement, pleasure, and addiction mechanisms.

Question 14

Mabel was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She is beginning to show significant impairment of her long-term memory. Damage to which brain structure likely caused this impairment?
A) amygdala
B) cerebellum
C) hippocampus
D) thalamus

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memories and is often one of the first regions of the brain to suffer damage in Alzheimer's disease, leading to the characteristic memory impairment.

Question 15

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for processing visual information?
A) occipital lobe
B) temporal lobe
C) parietal lobe
D) frontal lobe

Accepted Answer

The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for processing visual information in the brain.

Question 16

Activity within which brain structures support arousal in the cerebral cortex, thus indirectly aiding in memory formation?
A) dentate gyrus
B) reticular formation
C) limbic system
D) pyramidal system

Accepted Answer

The reticular formation is a network of neurons that runs through the brainstem and into the cerebral cortex. It is responsible for arousal and attention, and it also plays a role in memory formation.

Question 17

Working memory is part of your ____.
A) short-term memory
B) sensory memory
C) reference memory
D) long-term memory

Accepted Answer

Working memory is a core part of short-term memory, where information is temporarily held and manipulated for cognitive tasks.

Question 18

It is 5 PM and Jane is dreaming of leaving work so that she can sink her teeth into a juicy hamburger. Which of Jane's brain structures is most contributing to her feeling of hunger?
A) basal ganglia
B) cerebellum
C) medulla
D) hypothalamus

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that regulates many bodily functions, including hunger, thirst, sleep, and body temperature. It plays a key role in the sensation of hunger and the regulation of food intake.

Question 19

Tania sees a dark shadow outside her window and feels frightened. What brain structure contributes most to her feeling of fear?
A) basal ganglia
B) pons
C) limbic system
D) hypothalamus

Accepted Answer

The limbic system, particularly the amygdala within it, plays a crucial role in processing emotions, including fear.

Question 20

Narcotics and central nervous system depressants suppress medullary functions. Why might these drugs be fatal at high doses?
A) May suppress breathing
B) May cause rapid heart rate
C) May increase risk of stroke
D) May cause hyperemia

Accepted Answer

Narcotics and central nervous system depressants can be fatal at high doses because they may suppress breathing, which is a critical function controlled by the medulla in the brainstem.

Quiz 2: The Nervous System

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex processes auditory information and supports language comprehension and production?

Which brain structures act to stabilize voluntary movements?

Which tract crosses from one hemisphere of the brain to the opposite side of the body, sending motor information to the limbs, hands, and feet?

Megan is walking to the student center, lost in deep thought, when her friend Roman runs up behind her, tapping her on the shoulder. Megan, startled by Roman, jumps and gasps for air. Which brain structure is responsible for Megan's startle reflex?

Which structure is part of the forebrain?

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex supports decision making and movement?

The autonomic nervous system is controlled by the ____.

The first drugs to treat schizophrenia, called antipsychotic drugs, caused Parkinson-like symptoms. Why?

Ted is studying for his neuropsychology exam. How is cerebral blood flow to Ted's prefrontal cortex likely to respond to his studying?

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex processes touch information from the body?

After a recent bicycle accident, 11 year old Todd cannot do things that were once routine, such as such as riding a bike. Damage to which of Todd's brain structure disrupted Todd's procedural memory required for riding his bike?

Second-grade teacher Ms. Frascella calls upon her star pupil, Jeremy, to recite the capitals of all 50 states. Which type of memory will Jeremy use to recall this information?

The nucleus accumbens is also called the brain's ____ center.

Mabel was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She is beginning to show significant impairment of her long-term memory. Damage to which brain structure likely caused this impairment?

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

Activity within which brain structures support arousal in the cerebral cortex, thus indirectly aiding in memory formation?

Working memory is part of your ____.

It is 5 PM and Jane is dreaming of leaving work so that she can sink her teeth into a juicy hamburger. Which of Jane's brain structures is most contributing to her feeling of hunger?

Tania sees a dark shadow outside her window and feels frightened. What brain structure contributes most to her feeling of fear?

Narcotics and central nervous system depressants suppress medullary functions. Why might these drugs be fatal at high doses?