Neuropsychology Midterm

Descartes was an articulate proponent of

Dualism

Which brain structures are seen as ridges and grooves which create boundaries within the lobes of the brain?

gyri (ridges) and sulci (grooves)

With respect to the “mind–body” problem, many neuroscientists and neuropsychologists would MOST likely consider themselves to be:

materialists

Considering functional development, why would the spinal cord develop prior to the forebrain?

Sensory information processing precedes the development of higher order functioning.

Although all of the individuals listed made contributions to our knowledge of the lateralization of language functions in the brain, _____ is generally credited with the MOST important findings.

Broca

The two main theories that underlie neuropsychology are the brain theory and the central nervous system theory. (true or false)

false (neuron theory)

An example of ontological reductionism as set forth by Carozza is reducing concepts such as _____ to mere biological activities located in the brain. 

free will or love

The corpus callosum is the largest of the brain's:

commissures

What philosophical stance would conclude that only mental objects (i.e., the mind) exist and claim that what we think of as our body is merely the perception of the mind.

idealism

Which of the following is not a lobe of the brain. 

coronal

In the _____ theory, the brain is the source of all behavior. 

brain

The scientist who discovers how a unitary perception is made from multiple streams of sensory information will have solved the:

binding problem

At noted in your textbook, the extensive study of H.M. BEST demonstrates:

that memories are encoded and stored in multiple areas of the brain.

In the video from Fr. Spitzer, research on near-death experiences seem to indicate that a person's ______ continue even when there are signs of clinical death. 

perception and sensory awareness

The Mind-Body Problem is interesting, but has no real significance in the integration of faith and neuroscience. 

false

According to the _____, humans have performed better on IQ assessments from generation to generation due to _____.

Flynn Effect, enhanced experiences and more effective education

Variables that influence whether and how a gene is expressed do NOT include:

phrenological profile

Research has determined that people with above average IQ have brains that weigh more than most. 

false

Phenotypic plasticity accounts for the way that:

identical genotypes do not produce identical phenotypes.

Modern chimpanzees and humans share about _____ of their genes.

99%

According to our class lecture, we theorized that use of technology and digital media may potentially lead to a reduction in the complexity of our brains and a regression in critical thinking. 

true

Monkeys that eat grass have larger brains than monkeys that eat fruit. 

false

Having a highly developed brain packed with neurons requires a greater consumption of calories. 

true

Choose the correct ordering of encephalization quotients for the following list of species (from highest to lowest).

human, chimpanzee, monkey, cat

Having a "smoother" brain with less gyri and sulci is advantageous and is correlated with higher IQ. 

false

According to the textbook, the brain region whose growth is MOST associated with the evolution of modern humans is the:

parietal lobe

The full set of a species' genes is known as its:

genome

Which of these has the highest EQ?

dolphin

According to researchers, the need to be resilient and adapt to ever changing conditions in order to survive lead to evolutionary changes in the human brain.

True

Epigenetics provides a mechanism for the environment to alter gene expression without changing the genome.

true

Neuroplasticity of the PNS is most likely connected to its:

lack of protection and need for frequent repair of neural cells.

The crossing of sensory and motor fibers that associate sensory and motor activity from one side of the body with the opposite side of the brain are called____. 

decussations

A brain lesion on the right side of the motor cortex has led to impairment in motor function of the left arm and leg. This damage can be considered:

contralateral and efferent

Cells that support and insulate the nervous system are called:

glial cells

If Dr. Link prescribes a regimen of frequent smiling to help enhance your mood, you will be using _____. 

Facial nerve VII

After differentiation, these cells offer support for the nervous system. Without their presence, there may be damage to the blood–brain barrier.

astroglia

Sensory neurons are efferent and motor neurons are afferent. 

false

Dura mater means 

hard mother

Cells in the cortex can be arranged into _____ layers. 

6

Schwann cells are important because they _____. 

myelinate neurons in the PNS

This part of the limbic system is highly involved in the "fight or flight" response. 

amygdala

Moving from rostral to caudal in the central nervous system means moving from the:

brain toward the spinal cord

A characteristic resting potential in a neuron is about _____ mV.

-70

Saltatory conduction occurs in neurons with:

myelin sheaths

The small protrusions found on the dendrites of neurons are called:

spines

The two factors that determine nerve impulse speed in the axon are:

axon diameter and myelination.

The _____ of the action potential encodes the strength of the stimulus. 

frequency

The process by which molecules move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration is called:

diffusion

During _____, a neuron is incapable of generating an action potential.

the absolute refractory period

The information-processing units of the nervous system are:

neurons

A change in the membrane potential from –65 to –70 mV is an example of:

hyperpolarization

A long myelinated axon lacking nodes of Ranvier would probably propagate:

nerve impulses more slowly than one with nodes of Ranvier.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals responsible for:

transmitting signals between neurons

The movement of the action potential from axon hillock to axon terminal is known as:

the nerve impulse

Which of the following statements on neurons is/are true?

Neurons function as information units

Neurons function as memory units

Neurons have plasticity

all are correct

For a neuron to reach the threshold for generating an action potential, it must be:

depolarized

Multiple sclerosis results from the deterioration of:

myelin

The _____ system would likely play a role in memory and the onset of Alzheimers.

cholinergic

Research estimates there are anywhere from trillions to quadrillions of neuronal synapses in the human brain. 

true

What system is implicated in sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and SIDS, as well as OCD, tics, and depression?

serotonergic

Reuptake of a neurotransmitter is accomplished by:

the presynaptic neuron

Using the toilet bowl and neuron analogy, graded potentials would be similar to a gentle push on the toilet handle whereas an action potential would be the full flush. 

true

How can a single neurotransmitter have both excitatory and inhibitory action?

The action is dependent on the specific receptor and portion of the nervous system being acted upon.

What activating system of the CNS would be heavily implicated in a diagnosis of schizophrenia and Parkinson's, as well as addictions?

Dopaminergic

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

true

The cell bodies of the neurons of the major activating systems are located in the:

brainstem

Patients who have difficulties with attention may have deficiencies in the production of:

dopamine and norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter released at the axon terminal must _____ to affect the postsynaptic cell.

diffuse across the synaptic cleft

The excitatory effect of a neurotransmitter is caused by the:

nature of the receptor with which it interacts.

The first two chemicals to be identified as neurotransmitters were:

acetylcholine and epinephrine.

Which of these is NOT a class of neurotransmitter?

lipids

Synapses are essentially areas where neurons can "talk to one another."

true

The need to take increasing amounts of a drug to experience the same physical effect is called:

tolerance

A GABA antagonist would be likely to produce:

increased anxiety and activity

Diverse drugs of abuse may act through a common neurotransmitter system that releases:

dopamine

A drug that blocks acetylcholinesterase in the brain will MOST likely have what type of effect?

increased amount of acetylcholine in the synapse

Antipsychotic drugs are thought to exert their effects, at least in part, by blocking one type of:

dopamine receptor

A drug that increases the effectiveness of neurotransmission is called a(n):

agonist

Nicotine acts primarily on _____ receptors.

acetylcholine

Most psychoactive drugs affect the functioning of the:

synapse

The blood–brain barrier is established by:

endothelial cells and astrocytes.

Botox injections smooth the face by:

blocking ACh activity and relaxing facial muscles

Your brain is probably producing _____ waves as you read this sentence.

beta

Which of these is a list of brain-imaging techniques based on their resolution from least to most?

X-ray, CT, PET, MRI

Epilepsy is characterized by:

abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.

Which of these is a potential advantage of dynamic brain imaging over static imaging?

the ability to examine brain activity during the imaging

This is an example of _____.

CT

This is an example of _____.

MRI

What form of impairment would NOT benefit from investigation using an EEG?

muscle weakness

The imaging technique that provides the greatest contrast between brain tissues of different densities is:

magnetic resonance imaging

Electroencephalography measures changes in:

voltage generated by large groups of neurons

Dynamic imaging technology can record changes in:

brain activity

What is a likely reason the Human Connectome Project is using DTI tractography to map brain connectivity?

DTI tractography allows for noninvasive examination of the directionality of nerve pathways

Which technique is currently used in the treatment of the tremors and rigidity associated with Parkinson disease?

deep brain stimulation

This is an example of _____.

DTI

This is an example of _____. 

fMRI

What is the utility of an EEG in recording brain waves?

mapping distinct brain waves to allow for understanding states of consciousness

The basis for many dynamic imaging systems is that active brain regions _____ than less active brain regions.

consume more glucose

Which brain-imaging technique would likely be used to confirm the presence of a patient's brain tumor?

PET scan

Examination of motifs and brain connectivity is most associated with:

resting state fMRI