Brain Biology-psych final

Which of the following provides information regarding brain function by monitoring the brain at work through metabolism of glucose?

PET-positron emission tomography

Which of the following is classified as an antagonist?

a tricyclic antidepressant, because they block serotonin and norepinephrine transporters

Researchers looking to create a drug to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease would most likely focus their efforts on which of the following neurotransmitters?

acetylocholine

In extreme cases, surgically severing the corpus callosum is a treatment for which of the following conditions?

epilepsy

The area of the brain stem that is important in controlling breathing is the

medulla

Which of the following correctly describes the firing of neurons?

an all-or-none response

Difficulty in typing smoothly on a keyboard would most likely result from damage to the

cerebellum

Significant damage to which of the following parts of the brain will most likely cause a person to fall into a deep coma from which the person will be unable to awaken?

reticular formation

Damage to a small part of the occipital lobe would most likely result in a

visual deficit

A person will most likely develop aphasia as a result of damage to which of the following parts of the brain?

wernicke's area

Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system results in which of the following?

a decrease in heart rate

Curare blocks action at acetylcholine synapses and causes paralysis. This drug is an example of an

antagonist

Brain damage that leaves a person capable of understanding speech but with an impaired ability to produce speech most likely indicates injury to which of the following?

broca's area

Which of the following allows the examination of living brain tissue visually without performing surgery?

computerized axial tomography

Mary participates in an exercise program because she experiences an increase in energy and feelings of well-being at the end of each exercise session. The best explanation for Mary's perseverance in the program is that exercise

increases her level of endorphins

Dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine are all

neurotransmitters that excite or inhibit a neural signal across a synapse

Ben was enjoying a walk in the woods on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. As he went around a curve, he noticed a bear walking toward him. Immediately his pupils dilated, he began to perspire, and his heart accelerated. These changes are most closely related to the function of the

sympathetic nervous system

The part of the neuron that is responsible for receiving signals from other neurons is called

a dentrite

Damage to which of the following brain structures may cause the inability to detect the emotional significance of facial expressions, especially those demonstrating fear?

amygdala

Which of the following brain structures is most associated with the emotion of fear?

amygdala

An individual was admitted to the hospital after experiencing a mild tingling on the right side ofthe face and a sudden inability to speak. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a doctor would likely find

an abnormality in the brain tissue of the left hemisphere

The autonomic nervous system is most directly involved in

digesting food

For most people, speech functions are primarily localized in the

left cerebral hemisphere

The network of structures involved in emotion, motivation, and memory is the

limbic system

Immediately after firing, a neuron is incapable of responding to stimulation. This condition is referred to as

the absolute refractory phase

During neuronal firing, the part of the neuron that acts as an insulator and conductor to speed the electrical impulse as it travels down the axon is

the myelin sheath