Ch2: Intro to the brain

Question 1

A type of cell that makes up the nervous system and supports, among other things, cognitive function

Answer 1

Neuron

Question 2

Part of the neuron containing the nucleus and other organelles

Answer 2

Cell body

Question 3

Branching structures that carry information from other neurons

Answer 3

Dendrites

Question 4

A branching structure that carries information to other neurons and transmits an action potential

Answer 4

Axon

Question 5

The small gap between neurons in which neurotransmitters are released, permitting signaling between neurons

Answer 5

Synapse

Question 6

A sudden change (depolarization and repolarization) in the electrical properties of the neuron membrane in an axon, that forms the basis for how neurons code information (in the form of the rate and synchrony of action potentials)

Answer 6

Action potential

Question 7

Chemical signals that are released by one neuron and affect the properties of other neurons

Answer 7

Neurotransmitters

Question 8

A fatty substance that is deposited around the axon of some neurons that speeds conduction

Answer 8

Myelin

Question 9

Matter consisting primarily of neuronal cell bodies

Answer 9

Gray matter

Question 10

Tissue of the nervous system consisting primarily of axons and support cells

Answer 10

White matter

Question 11

Support cells of the nervous system involved in tissue repair and in the formation of myelin (among other functions)

Answer 11

Glia

Question 12

A large white matter tract that connects the two hemispheres

Answer 12

Corpus callosum

Question 13

The hollow chambers of the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid

Answer 13

Ventricles

Question 14

Towards the front

Answer 14

Anterior

Question 15

Towards the back

Answer 15

Posterior

Question 16

Towards the top

Answer 16

Superior (dorsal)

Question 17

Towards the bottom

Answer 17

Inferior (ventral)

Question 18

The outer part (cf. medial)

Answer 18

Lateral

Question 19

In or towards the middle

Answer 19

Medial

Question 20

The raised folds of the cortex

Answer 20

Gyri (gyrus = singular)

Question 21

The buried grooves of the cortex

Answer 21

Sulci (sulcus = singular)

Question 22

Regions of cortex defined by the relative distribution of cell types across cortical layers (cytoarchitecture)

Answer 22

Brodmann’s areas

Question 23

Regions of subcortical gray matter involved in aspects of motor control, skill learning, and reward learning; they consist of structures such as the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus

Answer 23

Basal ganglia

Question 24

A region of subcortex involved in relating the organism to its present and past environment; limbic structures include the amygdala, hippocampus, cingulate cortex, and mamillary bodies

Answer 24

Limbic system

Question 25

A major subcortical relay center; for instance, it is a processing station between all sensory organs (except smell) and the cortex

Answer 25

Thalamus

Question 26

Consists of a variety of nuclei that are specialized for different functions that are primarily concerned with the body and its regulation

Answer 26

Hypothalamus

Question 27

A midbrain nucleus that forms part of a subcortical sensory pathway involved in programming fast eye movements

Answer 27

Superior colliculi

Question 28

A midbrain nucleus that forms part of a subcortical auditory pathway

Answer 28

Inferior colliculi

Question 29

Structure attached to the hindbrain; important for dexterity and smooth execution of movement

Answer 29

Cerebellum

Question 30

Part of the hindbrain; a key link between the cerebellum and the cerebrum

Answer 30

Pons

Question 31

Part of the hindbrain; it regulates vital functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart rate, and the wake–sleep cycle

Answer 31

Medulla oblongata

Question 32

Which of the following populations tends to have LARGER brains than average? A) Autistic people B) Alzheimer's patients C) The malnourished D) Women

Answer 32

A) Autistic people

Question 33

A brain slice along the horizontal plane is commonly referred to as a/an: A) Dorsal section B) Axial section C) Sagittal section D) Coronal section

Answer 33

B) Axial section

Question 34

The branching structures of neurons that carry information from other neurons are called: A) Somas B) Hillocks C) Cell bodies D) Dendrites

Answer 34

D) Dendrites

Question 35

The points along the axon at which myelin is absent are called: A) Organelles B) Nodes of Ranvier C) Ventricles D) Voltage-gated Na+ channels

Answer 35

B) Nodes of Ranvier

Question 36

Another term for the posterior aspect of the brain is: A) Dorsal B) Caudal C) Rostral D) Inferior

Answer 36

B) Caudal

Question 37

The dips or folds in the brain are called: A) Lobules B) Lobes C) Sulci D) Gyri

Answer 37

C) Sulci

Question 38

The neocortex consists of how many main cortical layers? A) 6 B) 8 C) 5 D) 3

Answer 38

A) 6

Question 39

The lateral dividing line between the frontal and temporal lobes is called the: A) Cingulate fissure B) Middle frontal gyrus C) Sylvian fissure D) Inferior frontal gyrus

Answer 39

C) Sylvian fissure

Question 40

The island of cortex buried underneath the temporal lobe is called the: A) Precuneus B) Insula C) Hippocampus D) Uncus

Answer 40

B) Insula

Question 41

Brodmann area 17 represents a functional region often referred to as the: A) Planning region B) Primary motor C) Primary visual cortex D) Diencephalon

Answer 41

C) Primary visual cortex

Question 42

Which of the following parts of the limbic system has been implicated most in the detection of fearful or threatening stimuli? A) Mamillary bodies B) Hippocampus C) Olfactory bulbs D) Amygdala

Answer 42

​D) Amygdala

Question 43

Disorders of the basal ganglia can be characterized as: A) Hypokinetic B) Psychosomatic C) Transient D) Associative

Answer 43

A) Hypokinetic

Question 44

The part of the brain thought of as the main sensory relay for most senses is called the: A) Fornix B) Thalamus C) Medulla D) Globus Pallidus

Answer 44

B) Thalamus

Question 45

The hypothalamus is primarily concerned with: A) Memory B) Sensory processing C) Breathing and swallowing D) Regulation of the body

Answer 45

D) Regulation of the body

Question 46

The inferior colliculi are specialized for what type of processing? A) Visual B) Auditory C) Tactile D) Olfactory

Answer 46

B) Auditory

Question 47

Which region of the hindbrain literally means “little brain” and, if extensively damaged, can lead to deficits such as dysarthria and nystagmus? A) Cerebellum B) Superior colliculi C) Anterior cingulate cortex D) Medulla Oblongata

Answer 47

A) Cerebellum

Question 48

The fluid filling the brain’s ventricles is called: A) Bile B) Cerebrospinal fluid C) Glia D) Aqueous humour

Answer 48

B) Cerebrospinal fluid

Question 49

Which of the following neurotransmitters is inhibitory? A) GABA B) Glutamate C) Dopamine D) Acetylcholine

Answer 49

A) GABA

Question 50

The type of white matter tract, depicted below, connecting cortical structures across different hemispheres is called: A) Association tract B) projection tract C) Commissure D) Feedback loop

Answer 50

C) Commissure

Question 51

Which of the following neurotransmitters typically has an inhibitory effect on postsynaptic neurons? A) Acetylcholine B) GABA C) Dura mater D) Glutamate

Answer 51

B) GABA