Chapter 2 True/False
Oxytocin is a pituitary hormone that plays an important role in social bonding.
TRue
A Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging technique that uses the rate of glucose consumption as a measure of brain activity.
True
A computed tomographic scan (CT scan) is an x-ray image that is computer-enhanced to make it clearer.
True
A mirror neuron in the motor cortex becomes active when we perform an action and when we observe someone else carrying out the same action.
True
A nerve is a bundle of neuron axons.
True
A part of the brain (visual association area) is set aside solely for identifying faces.
True
A release of endorphins in the brain, which is triggered by pain, seems to underlie runner's high, masochism, acupuncture, and sports parachuting.
True
According to Hebb's rule repeated activation of synapses between two neurons strengthens the connection between them.
True
Action potentials are carried down the axon of the neuron to the axon terminals.
True
Although many neurons in the brain die every day, the brain simultaneously grows new neurons to replace them.
True
Although the cerebral cortex is only 3 millimeters thick, it contains 70% of the neurons in the central nervous system.
True
Association areas (association cortex) combine and process primary sensory information and memory—such as recognizing a rose, but also being able to label the rose verbally.
True
Clumsiness, an awkward gait, and poor hand-eye coordination are examples of neurological soft signs.
True
Curare causes paralysis by blocking the transmission of acetylcholine at receptor sites on muscles.
True
Damage to Wernicke's area of the brain results in a receptive aphasia.
True
Damage to the cerebellum leads to difficulties walking and running, because this structure regulates posture, muscle tone, and muscle contraction.
True
Damage to the right hemisphere of the brain can lead to a problem called spatial neglect in which affected patients pay no attention to the left side of visual space. For example, the patient may not eat food on the left side of the plate.
True
Each day thousands of new neurons are produced and become linked with other neurons to become a part of the brain's circuitry.
True
Executive functioning involving the prefrontal cortex is at the heart of self-regulation.
True
Functional MRI studies indicate that there is greater activity in the frontal areas of the brain when someone is lying.
True
GABA is an inhibitory transmitter that influences mood and deficiencies of this neurotransmitter are linked to experiences of anxiety.
True
It is likely that the new neurons produced in the brain are involved in learning, memory and adaptation to changing circumstances.
True
Language tasks lead to activation of the left hemisphere in men and both the left and right hemisphere in women.
True
Melatonin is a hormone that is released by the pineal gland in response to daily cycles of light and dark. Levels of this hormone rise at dusk and peak around midnight, and falls again as morning approaches.
True
Mirror neurons are thought to be involved in human empathy, learning by imitation, and autism spectrum disorders.
True
Multiple sclerosis is a disease where the immune system destroys the myelin on neurons.
True
Neural plasticity, learning and experience can increase the size of "motor maps" of neurons in the frontal cortex. For instance, violin, viola, and cello players show larger "hand maps" in the motor cortex.
True
New neurons developed in the brain are likely to be involved in learning, memory, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
True
Parents should not force a left-handed child to use his or her right hand. To do so could create speech or reading problems.
True
The Dunedin study conducted between 1972 and 1973 assessed children's ability to self-regulate and found that that children who displayed high level of self-regulation as a child also showed better self-regulation later in life, as measured by quality of health, extent of substance abuse, ability to manage finances (saving habits or credit card problems), and antisocial behaviors.
True
The amygdala is a part of the limbic system associated with fear responses.
True
The autonomic nervous system refers to the neurons that carry information between the central nervous system and internal organs (such as the heart and lungs) and glands.
True
The fact that humans are more intelligent than other animals is linked to corticalization, an increase in the size and wrinkling of the cerebral cortex.
True
The fact that humans are more intelligent than other animals is related to the greater size of the cerebral cortex.
True
The hippocampus is a part of the limbic system associated with storing memories.
True
The nerve impulse (action potential) is an "all or none" event so nerve impulses do not vary much in terms of size or duration.
True
The painkilling effect of a placebos (fake pills or injections) occurs because they raise endorphin levels in the brain.
True
The pineal gland is referred to as the "master gland" because its hormones influence other endocrine glands.
True
The pituitary gland is called the "master gland" because it influences the other endocrine glands.
True
The prefrontal cortex is associated with executive functions that are involved in higher level mental processing that allows regulation and coordination of thought processes.
True
The primary auditory area is located in the temporal lobe.
True
The reticular activation system bombards the cerebral cortex with nerve impulses, keeping us vigilant, alert, active and awake.
True
The right hemisphere is particularly good at perceptual skills such as recognizing patterns, faces, melodies, putting together a puzzle, or drawing a picture.
True
The right hemisphere of the brain processes information all at once (holistically) and simultaneously.
True
The right hemisphere processes information holistically (all at once) and simultaneously.
True
The simplest neural network is a reflex arc.
True
The somatic and autonomic nervous systems are part of the peripheral nervous system.
True
The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is thought of as an "emergency system." It prepares the body for "fight or flight" during times of danger, stress or high emotion.
True
The sympathetic nervous system is most active in times of danger or when emotions run high.
True
The term central nervous system is used to refer to the brain and the spinal cord.
True
The term localization of function refers to linking specific structures in the brain to specific psychological or behavioral functions.
True
The term neuroplasticity refers the capacity of the brain to change in response to experience.
True
The term peripheral nervous system refers to all parts of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord.
True
The thalamus is the final relay or switching station for sensory information on the way to the cerebral cortex.
True
There are more than a 100 neurotransmitters found in the brain.
True
Too much of the neurotransmitter dopamine in one part of the brain may cause schizophrenia, and too little serotonin is associated with depression.
True
Women are more likely than men to use both sides of their brains when processing language information.
True
The chemical structure of cocaine is similar to that of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
True
The cortex of the adrenal gland is the source of epinephrine and norepinephrine.
True
The dendrites and the soma (cell body) are the receiving areas of neuron where information from other neurons is accepted.
True
The primary visual area is in the occipital lobe.
True
The release of endorphins induces feelings of pleasure or euphoria similar to being high on morphine.
True
The resting potential becomes an action potential when the neuron passes the threshold for firing.
True
The right brain sees the wide view whereas the left hemisphere focuses on small details.
True
Without the cerebral cortex humans wouldn't be much smarter than toads.
True
Neuropeptides do not carry messages directly but instead regulate the activity of other neurons.
True
Overuse of recreational drugs, such as cocaine, overstimulates the neurons of the reward system and disturbs dopamine function, resulting in drug addiction.
True
Receptors sites are areas on the surface of neurons and other cells that are sensitive to neural transmitters or hormones.
True
Reduced frontal lobe functioning (executive functioning) leads to greater impulsivity, including an increased risk for addiction.
True
Roughly 95% of people use the left hemisphere for speech (speaking, writing).
True
Selective attention and cognitive reappraisal are two strategies that can improve self- regulation.
True
Slight variations in neurotransmitter functioning may be related to temperamental differences in infancy and personality differences in adulthood.
True
Someone with extensive damage to Broca's area has great difficulty speaking and writing but often can comprehend language.
True
Someone with spatial neglect is apt to deny the existence of one arm, claiming that the arm belongs to someone else.
True
Split-brains studies are conducted to determine the specialized functions of the right and left hemispheres.
True
Synaptic transmission occurs when an action potential reaches the tips of the axon terminals, releasing a neurotransmitter into the synaptic gap.
True
In general, the left hemisphere is involved in analysis (breaking information into parts) and thus processes information sequentially.
True
If the right hemisphere of the brain is damaged people are not able to understand jokes, sarcasm, or irony.
True
Dopamine is an inhibitory synaptic transmitter that is involved in pain regulation, motor activity, and fear.
False
During a nerve impulse (action potential) potassium (K+) ions rush across the neuron's cell membrane to the inside of the axon and sodium (Na+) rush to the outside of the neuron.
False
Fifty percent of right-handed individuals process speech in the right hemisphere, and are right brain dominant.
False
Human intelligence is directly proportional to the overall brain size of the individual.
False
In general, left handed people show more lateralization in the brain and throughout the body.
False
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans produce less detailed images than are possible with a computed tomographic scan (CT scan).
False
People only use about 10% of their brain capacity.
False
White matter in the brain is cell bodies, whereas gray matter is primarily myelinated axons.
False
