Question 1

The brain is most likely to compensate for a loss of neurons by

Accepted Answer

The brain compensates for a loss of neurons by generating new brain cells through the process of neurogenesis. This process occurs primarily in the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and memory. While increasing the speed of the action potential may increase the efficiency of neuronal communication, it does not compensate for a loss of neurons. Inhibiting the growth of glial cells would not compensate for a loss of neurons, as glial cells provide support and protection for neurons. Decreasing the production of acetylcholine would actually impair neuronal communication, as acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement and memory.

Question 2

Phineas Gage underwent a dramatic personality change after a tamping iron inflicted massive damage to his ________ lobes.

Accepted Answer

Phineas Gage's dramatic personality change can be attributed to damage to his frontal lobes, specifically the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and social behavior. Damage to this area can result in impulsive behavior, lack of empathy, and other personality changes.

Question 3

The left cerebral hemisphere is typically superior to the right in

Accepted Answer

The left cerebral hemisphere is typically more involved in language production, including speech, writing, and reading.

Question 4

When Stoyka was a child, a brain disease required the surgical removal of her left cerebral hemisphere. Stoyka is now a successful college student who lives a normal life. Her success best illustrates the importance of

Accepted Answer

Stoyka's ability to live a normal life despite the removal of an entire hemisphere of her brain highlights the brain's plasticity, or its ability to reorganize and adapt after injury or illness. This emphasizes the importance of plasticity in allowing individuals to recover and function in daily life even after significant brain damage.

Question 5

After Terry lost a finger in an industrial accident, the area of his sensory cortex devoted to receiving input from that finger gradually became very responsive to sensory input from his adjacent fingers. This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Terry's brain exhibits neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to change in response to experience or injury. In this case, the sensory cortex area that used to receive input from his lost finger is now being used to process input from adjacent fingers, demonstrating the brain's plasticity in adapting to a changed sensory input.

Question 6

Plasticity refers to the brain's capacity to

Accepted Answer

Plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt, including building new neural pathways, forming new connections between neurons, and rewiring existing neural networks. This allows the brain to adapt to new experiences and learn new things. Automatic regulation of bodily functions (A), conscious awareness (B), and information transmission between hemispheres (D) are not directly related to plasticity.

Question 7

Neurogenesis refers to

Accepted Answer

Neurogenesis specifically refers to the formation of new neurons, not the other processes listed (initiation of an action potential, release of neurotransmitters, or reabsorption of neurotransmitters).

Question 8

If an individual's right cerebral hemisphere is completely destroyed by disease, that person is unable to see anything

Accepted Answer

Each optic nerve carries information from the opposite visual field. The right visual field is processed by the left cerebral hemisphere, and the left visual field is processed by the right cerebral hemisphere. If the right hemisphere is destroyed, the left visual field cannot be processed, resulting in blindness in the right visual field.

Question 9

The sensory cortex is located in the ________ lobes.

Accepted Answer

The sensory cortex is located in the parietal lobes, specifically in the postcentral gyrus. This area receives and processes sensory information such as touch, pain, temperature, and pressure from different parts of the body.

Question 10

Association areas are located

Accepted Answer

Association areas are located in the frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal lobes. These areas are responsible for integrating information from different sensory modalities and for higher cognitive processing such as thinking, planning, and problem solving.

Question 11

Damage to the association areas in the frontal lobe is most likely to interfere with the ability to

Accepted Answer

The association areas in the frontal lobe are responsible for planning and decision making. Therefore, damage to these areas is most likely to interfere with the ability to formulate plans. The other options listed (recognizing faces, understanding word meanings, and recognizing voices) are more closely associated with other areas of the brain, such as the occipital and temporal lobes.

Question 12

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres is called the

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a large band of neural fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. This enables communication and coordination between the two hemispheres, allowing for various cognitive and behavioral functions. The other options, such as the reticular formation and limbic system, are not directly related to the connection between the hemispheres, and the myelin sheath is a protective covering for nerve cells rather than a connecting structure.

Question 13

If a neurosurgeon directly stimulated parts of your sensory cortex, which of the following would you most likely experience?

Accepted Answer

Direct stimulation of the sensory cortex would result in the perception of sensory experiences, such as touch, pressure, temperature, pain, etc. Therefore, the most likely experience would be a sense of being touched.

Question 14

Visual information processing in the temporal lobe of deaf people whose native language is sign best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The visual information processing in the temporal lobe of deaf people whose native language is sign best illustrates plasticity, as the brain is able to reorganize and adapt to different stimuli and (in this case) language inputs in the absence of auditory input. Choices A, B, and D do not accurately reflect this process.

Question 15

Information is most quickly transmitted from one cerebral hemisphere to the other by the

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a band of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and allows for communication between them. This allows for quick transmission of information from one hemisphere to the other. The motor cortex, limbic system, and reticular formation are not directly involved in interhemispheric communication.

Question 16

The ability to recognize faces with the right hemisphere but not with the left hemisphere best illustrates

Accepted Answer

This question is referring to the phenomenon of hemispheric specialization, or lateralization, in which different functions are processed primarily by one hemisphere of the brain rather than the other. The ability to recognize faces is primarily processed by the right hemisphere, so damage to the left hemisphere (such as through stroke or injury) might result in difficulties with this ability while leaving other functions intact. Therefore, the correct choice is D) lateralization.

Question 17

The region of your cerebral cortex that enables you to recognize a person as your own mother is

Accepted Answer

The answer of The region of your cerebral cortex that...

Question 18

The cortical regions that are NOT directly involved in sensory or motor functions are known as

Accepted Answer

Association areas are cortical regions that are not directly involved in sensory or motor functions. These areas are involved in higher mental functions such as thinking, learning, and remembering. The limbic system is a set of structures involved in emotion and memory formation. The frontal and parietal lobes are involved in sensory and motor functions as well as higher mental functions.

Question 19

The process of comparing currently experienced visual input with past visual memories takes place in

Accepted Answer

Association areas in the brain are responsible for integrating and interpreting sensory information from different areas of the brain, including visual input. This process involves comparing current experienced visual input with past visual memories to make sense of the world around us. The amygdala is involved in processing emotions and memories, the cerebellum is responsible for motor coordination, and the hypothalamus is involved in regulating basic bodily functions such as hunger and thirst.

Question 20

Split-brain patients have had their ________ surgically cut.

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a bundle of nerves that connects the two hemispheres of the brain. Split-brain patients have had the corpus callosum surgically cut, which results in the two hemispheres of the brain being unable to communicate effectively with each other.

Quiz 3: Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind