Question 1

Which of the following has been seen as an option to the use of embryonic stem cells that eliminates the ethical issues related to the use of stem cells?
A) Using fetal tissues
B) In-vitro fertilization
C) Human chorionic gonadotropin transplants
D) Induced pluripotent stem cells

Accepted Answer

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult cells that are genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state, eliminating the need for the use of embryos or fetal tissues. This eliminates the ethical concerns related to embryonic stem cell research.

Question 2

The risk of developing Alzheimer's is not affected when a parent or sibling has the disorder.

Accepted Answer

Family history of Alzheimer's is considered a risk factor for developing the disease. People who have a first-degree relative with Alzheimer's are more likely to develop the disease themselves compared to people without a family history.

Question 3

The brain is not able to grow new neurons.

Accepted Answer

Recent scientific research has shown that the brain is capable of growing new neurons through a process called neurogenesis. This process occurs mainly in the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in learning and memory. Factors such as exercise, healthy diet, and cognitive stimulation can promote neurogenesis.

Question 4

The input portion of the neuron is the dendrites.

Accepted Answer

The dendrites of a neuron receive inputs from other neurons or sensory receptors and transmit them to the cell body.

Question 5

Steven has undergone a thalamotomy.His spouse believes that this will cure him of Parkinson's disease.Is his spouse correct?
A) No, the procedure will only stop severe tremors.
B) No, the procedure will only slightly improve his memory and concentration.
C) Yes, if Steven continues to take his medication.
D) Yes. Thalamotomy cures Parkinson's disease.

Accepted Answer

Thalamotomy is a surgical procedure in which a part of the thalamus is destroyed to stop severe tremors in Parkinson's disease. It does not cure Parkinson's disease, and patients still need to take medication to manage their symptoms.

Question 6

In treating Parkinson's disease with deep brain stimulation,the patient:
A) undergoes painful shock treatment while under general anesthesia
B) often develops uncontrollable seizures
C) develops unwanted jerky movement
D) controls the amount of stimulation

Accepted Answer

In deep brain stimulation, the patient is implanted with a device that delivers electrical stimulation to certain areas of the brain. The patient is able to control the amount of stimulation delivered using a remote control. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Painful shock treatment, seizures, and unwanted jerky movement are not common side effects of deep brain stimulation.

Question 7

What part of the brain might help us to understand other people's intentions and goals?
A) mirror neurons
B) GABA neurons
C) basal ganglia
D) stem cells

Accepted Answer

Mirror neurons are a group of neurons in the brain that fire when an individual performs an action, as well as when they observe someone else performing the same action. This mechanism allows us to understand other people's intentions and goals, as we are able to put ourselves in their shoes and experience their actions as if we were performing them ourselves. Therefore, mirror neurons are believed to be involved in empathy, social cognition, and understanding others' perspectives.

Question 8

You are writing a title for an article in a magazine on mirror neurons.What would be the most appropriate title?
A) Mirror Neurons: A Possible Cure for Parkinson's Disease
B) Mirror Neurons: Walking in Somebody's Shoes
C) The Role of Mirror Neurons in Phantom Limb
D) Removing Mirror Neurons in Thalamotomy

Accepted Answer

"Walking in Somebody's Shoes" is the most appropriate title because it accurately captures the concept of mirror neurons, which allow individuals to understand and empathize with the experiences of others by "mirroring" their neural activity. This title is catchy and intriguing, while still accurately conveying the main focus of the article. The other choices do not accurately represent the content of an article specifically about mirror neurons.

Question 9

The hippocampus and olfactory bulb may be able to grow new neurons.

Accepted Answer

Both the hippocampus and olfactory bulb have been shown to have the capacity for neurogenesis, or the growth of new neurons, in certain circumstances.

Question 10

In what brain area are electrodes placed during deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson's disease?
A) thalamus
B) hypothalamus
C) hippocampus
D) cerebellum

Accepted Answer

Electrodes are typically placed in the thalamus during deep brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The thalamus is an area of the brain that plays a role in processing sensory information and motor control. Stimulation of this area can help to alleviate the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Question 11

In treating Parkinson's disease,the area of the brain that fetal brain tissue or stem cells is transplanted into is the:
A) basal ganglia
B) hippocampus
C) cerebellum
D) occipital lobe

Accepted Answer

Fetal brain tissue or stem cells are transplanted into the basal ganglia, which is the region of the brain that is primarily affected by Parkinson's disease. This can help to replace the dopamine-producing cells that are lost in Parkinson's and improve motor function. The hippocampus and occipital lobe are not directly related to Parkinson's disease, and while the cerebellum is involved in movement, it is not the target area for transplanting fetal brain tissue or stem cells in Parkinson's treatment.

Question 12

A potential treatment for Parkinson's patients involves:
A) embryonic stem cell transplants
B) nerve regeneration
C) drugs that repair damaged neurons
D) preventing electrical signals from reaching the spinal cord

Accepted Answer

Embryonic stem cell transplants have shown potential in treating Parkinson's disease by replacing damaged neurons in the brain.

Question 13

In treating Parkinson's disease,fetal brain tissue:
A) can take the place of myelin
B) can produce acetylcholine
C) can make new connections in the patient's brain
D) has little effect

Accepted Answer

Fetal brain tissue has been used in Parkinson's disease treatment to provide new cells to make connections in the patient's brain. These cells can produce dopamine, which is depleted in Parkinson's disease. However, this treatment is not widely used anymore due to ethical concerns and the availability of alternative treatments.

Question 14

In treating Parkinson's disease,stem cells are believed to:
A) create L-dopa
B) block dopamine receptors
C) develop into dopamine
D) develop into neurons

Accepted Answer

Stem cells are believed to have the potential to develop into neurons, including those that produce dopamine, which is deficient in Parkinson's disease. This could help in replenishing the lost or damaged dopaminergic neurons in the brain of Parkinson's patients.

Question 15

Stereotaxic procedures:
A) cause a great deal of brain damage
B) are used for brain tissue transplants
C) have been shown to be ineffective in treating Parkinson's disease
D) have only been performed on animals

Accepted Answer

Stereotaxic procedures are often used for brain tissue transplants, as they allow for precise placement of the transplant in the brain. They do not necessarily cause a great deal of brain damage and have potential applications in treating various neurological conditions. While they have been primarily performed on animals in research settings, they have also been used in human patients for specific procedures such as deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease.

Question 16

The procedure that is used to transplant fetal or stem cells into a precise location in either animal or human brains is called the ____ procedure.
A) ganglia
B) Parkinson's
C) stereotaxic
D) Lindvall

Accepted Answer

The procedure that is used to transplant fetal or stem cells into a precise location in either animal or human brains is called the stereotaxic procedure. This procedure involves the use of a stereotaxic instrument that can guide the insertion of a needle or cannula to a specific location in the brain based on predefined coordinates. The Lindvall procedure refers to a specific approach for transplanting fetal cells in patients with Parkinson's disease, and the ganglia are groups of nerve cells that are found outside the central nervous system.

Question 17

What is the promise of deep brain stimulation in treating Parkinson's disease?
A) complete cure
B) controlling tremors for about 5 years
C) improving memory for about 1 year
D) reducing phantom limb pain

Accepted Answer

Deep brain stimulation has been shown to significantly control tremors in Parkinson's disease patients for about 5 years, but it is not a complete cure and does not improve memory or reduce phantom limb pain.

Question 18

Glial cells are the most numerous brain cells.

Accepted Answer

Glial cells, also known as neuroglia, outnumber neurons (nerve cells) in the brain and provide support and protection for neurons.

Question 19

You are watching a video of a young man skateboarding and he suddenly trips and lands hard on the ground.You cringe at the sight of him hitting the pavement.Your ________ allowed you to experience empathy with his experience.
A) thalamus
B) glial cells
C) mirror neurons
D) GABA neurons

Accepted Answer

Mirror neurons are a type of neuron in the brain that is activated when we observe somebody else performing an action or experiencing an emotion that we ourselves can perform or feel. This activation leads to the experience of empathy with the person we are observing. In this situation, watching the young man trip and fall while skateboarding likely activated mirror neurons in the viewer's brain and allowed them to experience empathy with his experience of pain and discomfort. The other answer choices (A, B, D) are not directly involved in the experience of empathy.

Question 20

John was recently diagnosed with a mild case of Parkinson's disease.He tells his doctor that he wants a thalamotomy.Is this a reasonable request?
A) No. Removing the thalamus will cause his symptoms to worsen.
B) No. Recent research shows that the thalamus is not involved in the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
C) No. The procedure is used only in severe cases and is appropriate only after other treatments have been used.
D) Yes. A thalamotomy is a common treatment for mild Parkinson's disease.

Accepted Answer

Thalamotomy is a surgical procedure that involves destroying a small part of the thalamus in the brain. While it has been used as a treatment for Parkinson's disease in the past, it is typically reserved for severe cases and is only performed after other treatment options have been exhausted. In a mild case of Parkinson's disease, other treatments such as medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes are usually more appropriate. Therefore, John's request for a thalamotomy is not reasonable, and his doctor should explore other treatment options.

Quiz 3: Brains Building Blocks

Which of the following has been seen as an option to the use of embryonic stem cells that eliminates the ethical issues related to the use of stem cells?

The risk of developing Alzheimer's is not affected when a parent or sibling has the disorder.

The brain is not able to grow new neurons.

The input portion of the neuron is the dendrites.

Steven has undergone a thalamotomy.His spouse believes that this will cure him of Parkinson's disease.Is his spouse correct?

In treating Parkinson's disease with deep brain stimulation,the patient:

What part of the brain might help us to understand other people's intentions and goals?

You are writing a title for an article in a magazine on mirror neurons.What would be the most appropriate title?

The hippocampus and olfactory bulb may be able to grow new neurons.

In what brain area are electrodes placed during deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson's disease?

In treating Parkinson's disease,the area of the brain that fetal brain tissue or stem cells is transplanted into is the:

A potential treatment for Parkinson's patients involves:

In treating Parkinson's disease,fetal brain tissue:

In treating Parkinson's disease,stem cells are believed to:

Stereotaxic procedures:

The procedure that is used to transplant fetal or stem cells into a precise location in either animal or human brains is called the ____ procedure.

What is the promise of deep brain stimulation in treating Parkinson's disease?

Glial cells are the most numerous brain cells.

You are watching a video of a young man skateboarding and he suddenly trips and lands hard on the ground.You cringe at the sight of him hitting the pavement.Your ________ allowed you to experience empathy with his experience.

John was recently diagnosed with a mild case of Parkinson's disease.He tells his doctor that he wants a thalamotomy.Is this a reasonable request?