Brain Anatomy and Physiology

Question 1

The hindbrain consists of the pons, the medulla, and the cerebellum. The (1) _________ regulates a number of vital functions and damage to this structure is often fatal.

Answer 1

(1) medulla

Question 2

The (2) ________ is important for balance, posture, and coordination, and damage can produce (3) ________, which involves slurred speech, severe tremors, and a loss of balance.

Answer 2

(2) cerebellum
(3) ataxia

Question 3

The midbrain includes the (4) ________, which is vital to consciousness, arousal, and wakefulness.

Answer 3

(4) reticular activating system (RAS)

Question 4

The forebrain consists of subcortical and cortical structures. One of the subcortical structures, the (5) ________, acts as a relay station for all of the senses except (6)________.

Answer 4

(5) thalamus
(6) olfaction

Question 5

(7) ________ syndrome is due to a thiamine deficiency that causes atrophy of neurons in certain areas of the thalamus and the mammillary bodies of the hypothalamus and is usually the result of chronic alcoholism.

Answer 5

(7) Wernicke-Korsakoff

Question 6

The (8) ________ governs a number of vital functions (e.g., hunger, thirst, temperature), integrates and coordinates emotional reactions, and initiates the responses needed to maintain the body’s internal (9) ________.

Answer 6

(8) hypothalamus
(9) homeostasis

Question 7

The (10) ________ mediates the sleep-wake cycle and other circadian rhythms.

Answer 7

(10) SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus)

Question 8

The (11) ________ are important in planning, organizing, and coordinating voluntary movements. These structures are involved in several disorders with prominent motor symptoms including Huntington’s disease, (12) ________ disease, Tourette’s Disorder, and attaches emotions to (13) ________, and damage to the amygdala and temporal lobes can produce (14) ________ syndrome, which is characterized by reduce fear and aggression, psychic blindness, and hypersexuality.

Answer 8

(11) basal ganglia
(12) Parkinson’s
(13) memories
(14) Kluver-Bucy

Question 9

The hippocampus is involved more with learning and memory than with emotions and is responsible for (15) _________ declarative memories.

Answer 9

(15) consolidating

Question 10

Question ID #14101: Lesions to the right (non-dominant) hemisphere would most likely produce:
Select one:

A. Ataxia

B. Coma

C. Catastrophic reactions

D. Indifference or euphoria

Answer 10

The correct answer is D.

The two hemispheres play somewhat different roles in the regulation of emotion. Areas in the right hemisphere mediate negative emotions and damage to these areas can produce indifference, apathy, or undue cheerfulness.

Answer A: Symptoms of ataxia include slurred speech, stumbling, difficulty writing and eating, and slow eye movements. Ataxia is caused by damage to the cerebellum.

Answer B: Comas are caused by bilateral damage to the cerebral cortex or damage to the reticular activating system.

Answer C: Areas in the left hemisphere govern happiness and other positive emotions, and damage to these areas can produce severe depression, anxiety, or other catastrophic reactions.

Question 11

Question ID #14102: A split-brain patient is staring straight ahead when the word “head band” is flashed directly in front of her. The woman will most likely verbally report seeing which of the following?
Select one:

A.Head band

B.Head

C.Band

D.Bandhead

Answer 11

The correct answer is C.

Split-brain patients are individuals whose corpus callosum has been severed as a treatment for epilepsy. Because her corpus callosum has been severed, the woman will only be able to verbally state what was directly perceived by her left hemisphere, which is what was in the right visual field (i.e. the word “band”).

Answers A, B, and D: Incorrect. See explanation for Answer C.

Question 12

Question ID #14103: Damage to what area of the brain may lead to uncontrollable laughter or intense rage and aggression?
Select one:

A.Limbic system

B.Suprachiasmatic nucleus

C.Hypothalamus

D.Basal ganglia

Answer 12

The correct answer is C.

The hypothalamus is involved in regulating hunger, thirst, sex, sleep, body temperature, movement, and emotional reactions. It also maintains homeostasis through its influence on the autonomic nervous system, pituitary gland, and other endocrine glands. Damage to the hypothalamus can cause very intense emotional reactions.

Answer A: This is an appealing answer because the limbic system is responsible for mediating emotions. However, the hypothalamus (Answer C) is a better, more specific fit for the description in the question. The limbic system consists of several structures with different functions including the amygdala, hippocampus, and cingulate cortex.

Answer B: Damage to the suprachiasmatic nucleus can affect sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms.

Answer D: Damage to the basal ganglia causes difficulty with movement and speech.

Question 13

Question ID #14104: Wernike’s aphasia involves:
Select one:

A.Fluent output, impaired repetition, intact comprehension

B.Non-fluent output, disturbed repetition, abnormal comprehension

C.Non-fluent output, poor repetition, intact comprehension

D.Fluent output, impaired repetition, poor comprehension

Answer 13

The correct answer is D.

The term “aphasia” refers to a loss of language functioning as the result of brain impairment. Damage to the temporal lobe may result in Wernicke’s aphasia. Fluent speech that is devoid of content, impaired repetition, and poor comprehension of written and spoken language are symptoms of Wernicke’s aphasia.

Answer A: This describes conduction aphasia.

Answer B: This describes global aphasia.

Answer C: These symptoms are characteristic of Broca’s aphasia.

Question 14

Question ID #14105: This part of the brain transmits sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cortex for all senses except olfaction.
Select one:

A.Hypothalamus

B.Thalamus

C.Limbic system

D.Cingulate cortex

Answer 14

The correct answer is B.

The thalamus is located in the subcortical region of the forebrain and acts as a “relay station” for sensory information.

Answer A: The hypothalamus is involved in regulating hunger, thirst, sex, sleep, body temperature, movement, and emotional reactions.

Answer C: The limbic system is involved in memory and cognitive functions and mediating emotions.

Answer D: The cingulate cortex surrounds the corpus callosum and is involved in attention, emotion, and perception of pain.

Question 15

Question ID #14106: Research conducted in the 1930s found that ablation of the anterior temporal lobes in male rhesus monkeys produced a variety of symptoms including hypersexuality, placidity, oral tendencies, and psychic blindness. This condition is known as _____ syndrome.
Select one:

A.Kluver-Bucy

B.Gerstmann’s

C.Grave’s

D.Wernicke-Korsakoff

Answer 15

The correct answer is A.

The symptoms described in this question are characteristic of Kluver-Bucy syndrome, due to lesions affecting the hippocampus and amygdala.

Answer B: Gerstman’s syndrome is due to damage to the left parietal lobe.

Answer C: Grave’s disease is another name for hyperthyroidism.

Answer D: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is due to atrophy of neurons in certain areas of the thalamus and is believed to be due to a thiamine deficiency.

Question 16

Question ID #14107: The _______ plays a key role in the attachment of emotions to memory.
Select one:

A.Substantia nigra

B.Thalamus

C.Medulla oblongata

D.Amygdala

Answer 16

The correct answer is D.

The structures of the limbic system are involved in mediation of emotion. The amygdala is part of the limbic system. The amygdala integrates, coordinates, and directs emotional activities, attaches emotions to memories, and is involved in the recall of emotionally charged experiences.

Answer A: The substantia nigra produces dopamine which affects movement control, cognitive functions, and emotional limbic activity.

Answer B: The main role of the thalamus is to support the motor and language system.

Answer C: The medulla oblongata transmits signals between the spinal cord and the higher parts the of brain. It also controls autonomic activities like breathing and respiration.

Question 17

Question ID #14108: Damage to _________ produces expressive aphasia.
Select one:

A.Broca’s area

B.Parietal lobe

C.Wernicke’s area

D.Prefrontal cortex

Answer 17

The correct answer is A.

Broca’s area is the major motor speech area located in the frontal lobe of the brain. Damage to Broca’s area causes expressive (Broca’s) aphasia which is characterized by difficulties in producing spoken and written language.

Answer B: Damage to the parietal lobe causes apraxia and spatial orientation disturbances.

Answer C: Wernicke’s area is important for comprehension of language and damage to this area causes receptive aphasia (e.g. deficits in language comprehension).

Answer D: Damage to the prefrontal cortex includes but is not limited to difficulties with problem solving, creativity, judgement, insight, and impulsivity.

Question 18

Question ID #14109: Following a stroke, a woman is unable to recognize the faces of her relatives and her two pet dogs as well as her own face in the mirror. This condition is referred to as:
Select one:

A.Apraxia

B.Psychic blindness

C.Prosopagnosia

D.Anosognosia

Answer 18

The correct answer is C.

Prosopagnosia is the inability to recognize familiar faces.

Answer A: Apraxia is the inability to perform skilled motor movements in the absence of impaired motor functioning.

Answer B: Psychic blindness is an inability to recognize the meaning or significance of objects or events.

Answer D: Anosognosia is the inability to recognize one’s own neurological symptoms.

Question 19

Question ID #14110: The corpus callosum is:
Select one:

A.A highly detailed structure located in the hindbrain

B.A midbrain structure that mediates vision

C.A bundle of fibers that connects Wernicke’s and Broca’s areas

D.A bundle of fibers that connects the right and left hemispheres

Answer 19

The correct answer is D.

The corpus callosum is the largest bundle of fibers that connects the two hemispheres and allows information sent directly to one hemisphere to be shared with the other hemisphere.

Answers A, B, and C: See rationale for Answer D.

Question 20

Question ID #14111: In which functions is the hippocampus involved?
Select one:

A.Formation of visual images and relaying visual information to the cortex

B.Verbal processing, visual processing, spatial processing, and memory

C.Attention regulation and emotional regulation

D.Emotional regulation and behavioral regulation

Answer 20

The correct answer is B.

The hippocampus is involved in learning, memory, and formation of visual images. More specifically, it helps to process spatial, visual, and verbal information and consolidate declarative memories. Removal of the hippocampus can cause retrograde and anterograde amnesia.

Answers A, C, and D: These descriptions are scattered across other aspects of the brain. See rationale for Answer B.

Question 21

Question ID #14112: Damage to the prefrontal cortex is most likely to produce deficits in:
Select one:

A.Visual processing

B.Executive cognitive functions

C.The ability to comprehend speech

D.Fine motor coordination

Answer 21

The correct answer is B.

The prefrontal cortex is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in a variety of complex behaviors. In addition to mediating higher-order (executive) cognitive functions, the prefrontal cortex is involved in emotion, memory, attention, and self-awareness.

Answer A: Damage to the occipital lobe causes visual processing difficulty.

Answer C: Wernicke’s area is associated with speech comprehension.

Answer D: Damage to the cerebellum causes impairment in fine motor movement and balance.

Question 22

Question ID #14113: Which of the following structure is part of the hindbrain?
Select one:

A.Reticular formation

B.Hypothalamus

C.Medulla oblongata

D.Cingulate cortex

Answer 22

The correct answer is C.

The hindbrain is located behind the midbrain. The hindbrain consists of the medulla (which is known as the medulla oblongata), the pons, and the cerebellum.

Answer A: The reticular formation is one of the midbrain structures.

Answer B: The hypothalamus is a forebrain structure.

Answer D: The cingulate cortex is part of the limbic system, which is located in the forebrain.

Question 23

Question ID #14114: __________ involves right-left confusion, agraphia, and acalculia.
Select one:

A.Apraxia

B.Right parietal lobe damage

C.Gerstmann’s syndrome

D.
Kluver-Bucy syndrome

Answer 23

The correct answer is C.

Gerstmann’s syndrome occurs with damage to the left parietal lobe. Gerstmann’s syndrome is characterized by finger agnosia, right-left confusion, agraphia (an inability to write), and acalculia (an inability to preform simple mathematical calculations).

Answer A: Apraxia is the inability to perform skilled motor movements in the absence of impaired motor functioning. Apraxia occurs with damage to the parietal lobe but does not address the symptoms listed in this question.

Answer B: Damage to the right parietal lobe results in contralateral neglect, which is the loss of knowledge about or interest in the left side of the body.

Answer D: Kluver-Bucy syndrome results from damage to the amygdala and temporal lobes and is characterized by inappropriate sexual behavior, visual agnosia, loss of fear and anger responses, memory loss, and sometimes seizures and dementia.

Question 24

Question ID #14115: Which of the following brain structures plays a role in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia and is a neuronal pathway that connects the limbic system and prefrontal lobes?
Select one:

A.basal ganglia

B.reticular activating system

C.prefrontal cortex

D.hypothalamus

Answer 24

The correct answer is B.

The reticular activating system is a network of neurons located in the brainstem. It plays a fundamental role in arousal and consciousness, control of movement and sensation, and regulation of visceral functions. A deficiency in this area can cause inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity. This area has been connected to disruptions in the sleep-wake cycles of individuals with schizophrenia.

Answer A: The basal ganglia control aspects of motor behavior and has been linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder and Parkinson’s disease.

Answer C: The prefrontal cortex controls aspects of impulse control, attention, behavioral monitoring, and organization of complex information processing. This area of the brain has been linked to dementia, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression.

Answer D: The hypothalamus regulates sleep cycles, hunger, and sex drive, and controls the endocrine and the autonomic nervous system. This structure is linked to depression, anxiety disorders, and sleep difficulties.

Question 25

Question ID #14116: Which structures are included in the basal ganglia?
Select one:

A.Caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus

B.Caudate nucleus, substantia nigra, and globus pallidus

C.Caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and circle of willis

D.Caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra

Answer 25

The correct answer is D.

The basal ganglia consist of: caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra.

Answers A, B, and C: Incorrect. See rationale for Answer D.

Question 26

Question ID #14117: The body’s circadian rhythms are controlled by the:
Select one:

A.Suprachiasmatic nucleus

B.Caudate nucleus

C.Basal ganglia

D.Hippocampus

Answer 26

The correct answer is A.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is part of the hypothalamus and acts as the body’s “biological clock” and is responsible for many of the body’s circadian rhythms.

Answer B: The caudate nucleus is located within the basal ganglia. It is an important part of the brain’s learning and memory system.

Answer C: The basal ganglia are a set of subcortical nuclei in the cerebrum and are involved in voluntary behavior, motor control, learning, as well as executive behaviors and emotions.

Answer D: The hippocampus is located within the temporal lobe. It plays a major role in learning and memory.

Question 27

Question ID #14118: A middle-aged man exhibits slurred speech, a lack of coordination, and tremors. If his symptoms are due to brain damage, the most likely location of the damage is the:
Select one:

A.Hippocampus

B.Cerebellum

C.Parietal lobe

D.Medulla

Answer 27

The correct answer is B.

The cerebellum is important for coordination, posture, and balance. Damage to the cerebellum can result in ataxia, which involves the symptoms listed in this question.

Answer A: The hippocampus is involved in learning and memory.

Answer C: The parietal lobe contains the somatosensory cortex and is involved in pressure, temperature, pain, proprioception, and gustation.

Answer D: The medulla is a hindbrain structure that influences the flow of information between the spinal cord and the brain.