Question 1

Lesions to some areas of the hypothalamus result in overeating.

Accepted Answer

Lesions (damage) to certain areas of the hypothalamus can disrupt the regulation of hunger and satiety, leading to overeating and obesity.

Question 2

The thalamus is part of the limbic system.

Accepted Answer

The thalamus is part of the diencephalon in the brain, primarily involved in relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, and not considered a component of the limbic system, which is involved in emotion, memory, and behavior.

Question 3

The reticular formation is important for regulating sleep,wakefulness,and arousal.

Accepted Answer

The reticular formation is a network of neurons in the brainstem that plays a key role in regulating sleep, wakefulness, and arousal. It receives input from sensory systems and can modulate activity in other parts of the brain, including the thalamus, cortex, and spinal cord. Damage to the reticular formation can have significant effects on arousal and consciousness.

Question 4

Jenkins rapidly swivels his head to the sound of a car backfiring down the street,a behavior made possible by his tectum.

Accepted Answer

The tectum is the part of the brain responsible for processing sensory information, such as sound. It plays a role in orienting the body towards a particular stimulus, like the sound of a car backfiring. Therefore, it is likely that Jenkins was able to rapidly swivel his head in response to the sound due to his tectum's function.

Question 5

One of the functions of the parasympathetic nervous system is to relax the bladder.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the functions of the parasympathetic...

Question 6

The cerebellum coordinates heartbeat,blood circulation,and respiration.

Accepted Answer

The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating movement and balance, not the autonomic functions of the body such as heartbeat, blood circulation, and respiration which are regulated by the autonomic nervous system.

Question 7

Lesions to some areas of the hypothalamus result in a loss of interest in food.

Accepted Answer

Certain areas of the hypothalamus, such as the lateral hypothalamus, are known to stimulate hunger and eating behaviors. Lesions in these areas can result in a loss of appetite and decreased interest in food.

Question 8

Electrically stimulating a certain region of the hypothalamus produces feelings of intense pleasure.

Accepted Answer

This is a well-established phenomenon known as "brain reward pathway" or "pleasure center". Studies have shown that electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus can cause animals to perform behaviors like pressing a lever or turning a wheel for hours in order to receive the stimulation, indicating a powerful motivational effect. In humans, similar effects have been observed, with some patients reporting feelings of euphoria, relaxation or sexual pleasure. However, it should be noted that such stimulation is not without risks, and should only be performed by trained professionals under strict ethical and medical guidelines.

Question 9

A human cannot survive with only a functional hindbrain and midbrain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A human cannot survive with only a...

Question 10

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for ejaculation in males.

Accepted Answer

Ejaculation is primarily controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, not the parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 11

The thalamus regulates hunger,thirst,and sexual behavior.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus, not the thalamus, regulates hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior. The thalamus primarily acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Question 12

The pain withdrawal reflex occurs without any input from the brain.

Accepted Answer

The pain withdrawal reflex is a spinal reflex that occurs without the input or involvement of the brain. This means that the reflex occurs automatically in response to a painful stimulus, without the need for conscious thought or decision-making.

Question 13

One of the functions of the sympathetic nervous system is to dilate the pupils.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system controls the dilation (enlargement) of the pupils. This allows more light to enter the eyes and improves vision in low light situations.

Question 14

The tectum and tegmentum are midbrain structures involved in the recognition of facial emotions.

Accepted Answer

The tectum and tegmentum are midbrain structures, but they are not specifically involved in the recognition of facial emotions. They play roles in other functions such as sensory processing, motor control, and arousal. The recognition of facial emotions involves other brain regions such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.

Question 15

If you ever find yourself being chased by a crazed axe murderer,your parasympathetic nervous system will trigger an increase in heart rate and provide your muscles with more oxygen such that you can run faster and longer.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system, not the parasympathetic nervous system, is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which increases heart rate and oxygen supply to muscles in stressful situations like being chased.

Question 16

The spinal cord is continuous with the hindbrain.

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord is connected to the brainstem, which includes the hindbrain, at the level of the foramen magnum. This connection allows for communication between the brain and spinal cord, which is crucial for many bodily functions.

Question 17

The hypothalamus relays information from the senses to the cerebral cortex.

Accepted Answer

The thalamus, not the hypothalamus, is primarily responsible for relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex. The hypothalamus plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis and regulating autonomic functions.

Question 18

Severing the connections between the reticular formation and the rest of the brain may result in an irreversible coma.

Accepted Answer

The reticular formation plays a critical role in regulating arousal and consciousness. Severing its connections with the rest of the brain can disrupt these functions and result in a coma that may be irreversible.

Question 19

The medulla is referred to as the "little brain" because it is extremely vital to basic life functions.

Accepted Answer

The term "little brain" actually refers to the cerebellum, not the medulla. The cerebellum is involved in motor control, while the medulla controls vital life functions like breathing and heart rate.

Question 20

Damage higher on the spinal cord usually results in more severe impairment.

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to the spinal cord can result in various levels of impairment depending on the location of the injury. Generally, the higher up the injury is on the spinal cord, the more severe the impairment is likely to be. This is because the spinal cord is segmented, and each segment controls a different part of the body. Damage higher up on the cord will therefore affect a greater number of segments and a larger portion of the body.

Quiz 3: Neuroscience and Behavior-Part C