Curve 3-a

Question 1

The gap between neurons, through which neurons chemically communicate with one another, is called:

Answer 1

the synapse.

Question 2

Over the first few months of infancy, the amount of time spent in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep:

Answer 2

decreases

Question 3

Why is a baby’s brain especially “plastic,” or malleable?

Answer 3

Extra synaptogenesis permits surplus neurons to be used in other regions.

Question 4

About how many hours does the average newborn sleep per day?

Answer 4

15 to 17 hours

Question 5

The insulating envelope of _____ surrounds the core of a nerve fiber or axon and acts as a lubricant that permits neural impulses to speedily flow.

Answer 5

myelin

Question 6

Over the first few months of infancy, the amount of time spent in slow-wave sleep:

Answer 6

increases.

Question 7

The treelike branching structures of a neuron are called:

Answer 7

dendrites.

Question 8

Why do the special newborn reflexes disappear after a few months?

Answer 8

As the cortex matures, voluntary processes replace these reflexes.

Question 9

The gap between the dendrites of one neuron and the dendrites of another, across which impulses flow, is called a(n):

Answer 9

synapse.

Question 10

From an evolutionary point of view, why might toddlers suddenly start to avoid unfamiliar foods?

Answer 10

It is a protective mechanism to prevent them from poisoning themselves.

Question 11

Synaptic pruning happens when unused ______ get removed from the brain.

Answer 11

synapses and neurons

Question 12

One-week-old Gabriella turns toward her mother’s finger every time her cheek is touched. This is an example of which reflex?

Answer 12

rooting

Question 13

Martha was surprised to learn that all babies are born legally blind. Her pediatrician explains that this is due to the fact that:

Answer 13

myelination has not occurred in the neurons in the visual cortex.

Question 14

Garrett is studying brain development and wonders why his textbook calls the brain “plastic.” His teacher explains that it is called that because the brain is:

Answer 14

malleable, or able to be changed.

Question 15

Nelson has been blind since birth. However, an fMRI of his brain shows intense activity in his visual cortex when he is reading Braille. How can this activity be explained?

Answer 15

The neurons in his visual cortex were recruited to increase his touch capabilities.

Question 16

Shareen is in her 70s, and she has experienced a left-hemisphere stroke. The left hemisphere is the brain’s language center; therefore, she is experiencing problems with her ability to form words. Which statement is true with regard to Shareen’s ability to recover her language abilities?

Answer 16

Neural pruning is complete at her age; therefore, she may suffer the permanent loss of some language abilities.

Question 17

Jessica’s 3-month-old baby had to have a small portion of his brain removed due to a blood clot. Her baby’s neurosurgeon explained that her infant will not lose any cognitive functions due to his brain’s:

Answer 17

plasticity.