Question 1

The cerebellum plays a critical role in the control of vital life functions, such as breathing, heart rate, swallowing, and coughing.

Accepted Answer

While the cerebellum is important in the coordination of motor movement and balance, it does not play a direct role in controlling vital life functions such as breathing, heart rate, swallowing, and coughing. These functions are primarily controlled by the brainstem and other areas of the brain.

Question 2

The hands and the face have the greatest degree of representation on both the somatosensory cortex and the primary motor cortex.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The hands and the face have a high degree of representation on both the somatosensory cortex and the primary motor cortex, which means that a large portion of these brain areas are dedicated to processing sensory input and controlling movements from these body parts. This is known as cortical homunculus, where body parts are represented in proportion to their sensitivity and complexity of movement.

Question 3

The brains of fish, birds, amphibians, and humans share many common brain structures, although they differ in their degree of complexity.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true as fish, birds, amphibians, and humans share common brain structures such as the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and optic lobes, but the complexity of these structures varies depending on the species.

Question 4

Research with primates has shown that some regions of the brain have the capacity to develop new neurons throughout the lifespan.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that adult primates, including humans, have the capacity to develop new neurons in certain regions of the brain throughout the lifespan, a process known as neurogenesis.

Question 5

The corpus callosum is an important midbrain structure that contains many dopamine-producing neurons.

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain and allows them to communicate with each other. It does not contain dopamine-producing neurons.

Question 6

A midbrain area called the substantia nigra contains a large concentration of dopamine-producing neurons and is involved in motor control.

Accepted Answer

The substantia nigra does indeed contain dopamine-producing neurons and plays a critical role in motor control. Dysfunction of this brain region is associated with motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

Question 7

Diffusion spectrum imaging can produce three-dimensional images of the neural pathways that connect one part of the brain to another. These pathways, sometimes called tracts, are made up of bundles of myelinated axons.

Accepted Answer

Diffusion spectrum imaging uses MRI technology to produce three-dimensional images of the neural pathways or tracts in the brain, which are composed of myelinated axons.

Question 8

The temporal lobe contains the primary auditory cortex, which receives auditory information.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The primary auditory cortex is located in the temporal lobe and is responsible for receiving and processing auditory information.

Question 9

The structural organization of the human brain is unique and different from all other animal species, including primates.

Accepted Answer

The human brain shares many structural similarities with the brains of other primates and mammals, though it has unique features such as a larger cerebral cortex relative to body size.

Question 10

Contemporary neuroscientists have found newly generated neurons in the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb of the adult human brain.

Accepted Answer

Recent studies have shown that neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons) can occur in the adult human brain, specifically in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb. This discovery challenges the previously held belief that neurogenesis only occurred during development and in certain animal species.

Question 11

The parietal lobe is involved in planning, initiating, and executing voluntary movements.

Accepted Answer

The parietal lobe is primarily responsible for processing sensory information, while the frontal lobe is involved in planning, initiating, and executing voluntary movements.

Question 12

According to one research study that involved participants who learned how to juggle, learning a new motor skill produces physical changes in specific brain structures related to the skill.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true according to the research study mentioned.

Question 13

Because the human brain is characterized by contralateral organization, the left side of the brain controls movement on the right side of the body, and vice versa.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The left hemisphere of the brain controls movement and sensation on the right side of the body, while the right hemisphere controls movement and sensation on the left side of the body. This is a basic principle of neuroanatomy and is referred to as contralateral organization.

Question 14

The medulla, the pons, and the cerebellum make up the midbrain.

Accepted Answer

The medulla, the pons, and the cerebellum make up the hindbrain, not the midbrain. The midbrain is located above the hindbrain and consists of structures such as the tectum, tegmentum, and substantia nigra.

Question 15

The pons controls a number of vital reflexes, including swallowing, coughing, and sneezing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The pons controls a number of vital...

Question 16

In combination, the structures of the hindbrain and the midbrain are referred to as the brainstem.

Accepted Answer

The hindbrain and the midbrain together make up the brainstem, which is responsible for basic vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and consciousness.

Question 17

German neuroscientists used expert professional jugglers as participants in a study to determine whether the jugglers' superior manual dexterity and sense of balance were the cause or the result of structural brain differences.

Accepted Answer

The answer of German neuroscientists used expert professional jugglers as...

Question 18

Humans and nonhuman primates are born with all the brain neurons they will ever have, and there is no evidence that new neurons grow and develop after birth.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Neurogenesis, the growth and development of new neurons, does occur in certain areas of the brain throughout life, including regions such as the hippocampus that are involved in learning and memory.

Question 19

According to one research study investigating the effects of learning a new skill on the brain's physical structure, novice jugglers showed evidence of brain changes within just seven days after learning to juggle.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The research study found that novice jugglers showed changes in the brain's white matter after just one week of juggling practice.

Question 20

The forebrain makes up about 50 percent of the brain, and the midbrain and hindbrain make up the other 50 percent.

Accepted Answer

The forebrain actually makes up about 80 percent of the brain, while the midbrain and hindbrain make up the remaining 20 percent.

Quiz 2: Neuroscience and Behavior