Ch 2 - The Brain and Behavior

Jane has been practicing playing the piano for a few months. She notices that she is getting better at playing complex pieces and that her fingers move more smoothly over the keys. What characteristic of the nervous system explains this improvement?

• Complexity

• Integration

• Adaptability

• Electrochemical Transmission

John is about to take a final exam for a class he hasn't studied for. As he enters the classroom, he begins to sweat and feels his heart pounding in his chest. Which division of the nervous system is responsible for these physiological changes?

• Central nervous system (CNS)

• Somatic nervous system

• Autonomic nervous system

• Sympathetic nervous system

A researcher is interested in studying the activity of mirror neurons in primates and humans. Which of the following statements is true regarding mirror neurons?

• Mirror neurons are the most common cells in the nervous system.

• Mirror neurons are specialized to provide support, nutritional benefits, and other functions in the nervous system.

• Mirror neurons play a role in imitation and are activated when we perform an action but also when we watch someone else perform that same task.

• Mirror neurons are responsible for insulation of axons and speed up transmission of nerve impulses.

What is responsible for generating electrical signals in a neuron?

• The cell body of the neuron

• The dendrites of the neuron

• The axon of the neuron

• The synapses between neurons

When an impulse reaches the terminal button of a neuron, it triggers the release of neurotransmitter molecules, which carry the message across the synaptic gap to the next neuron. What happens to the neurotransmitter after it delivers its message?

• It is stored in the terminal button for later use

• It is destroyed and eliminated from the body

• Some of it is reabsorbed by the axon that released it, and some of it is used up in the production of energy

• It remains in the synaptic gap, waiting for the next impulse to arrive

A patient is experiencing symptoms of depression and seeks medical help. The doctor suspects that the patient may have a deficiency of a certain neurotransmitter. Which of the following neurotransmitters is likely to be deficient in the patient? Which neurotransmitter is likely to be deficient in a patient experiencing symptoms of depression?

• GABA

• Serotonin

• Dopamine

• Acetylcholine

Which technique uses a magnetic field to create images of the brain and nervous system?

• EEG

• fMRI

• PET scan

• TMS

Which structure in the hindbrain is responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing and heart rate?

• Cerebellum

• Medulla

• Pons

• Reticular Formation

What is the role of the forebrain in the human brain?

• It controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate.

• It regulates our reflexes.

• It coordinates motor behavior, social thinking and social behavior.

• It sits on top of the brain stem and regulates basic survival functions.

Jenna, a 35-year-old woman, was recently involved in a car accident that resulted in a serious head injury. Following the accident, she has been experiencing significant changes in her personality, including irritability, impulsivity, and difficulty with decision-making. Jenna's friends and family have noticed these changes and are concerned about her well-being. After a visit to the doctor, it is discovered that Jenna has damage to her _____?

• limbic system

• thalamus

• basal ganglia

• frontal lobes