The Central Nervous System 241- The reticular activating system
a. is composed of neurons that are part of the reticular
formation.
b. is a loose arrangement of neurons with many
interconnecting synapses.
c. is located in the brain stem and midbrain.
d. functions to arouse the cerebral cortex to incoming
sensory information.
e. is described correctly by all of these.- In the control of emotion and motivation, the limbic system
works together with
a. the pons. d. the cerebellum.
b. the thalamus. e. the basal nuclei.
c. the hypothalamus. - Verbal ability predominates in
a. the left hemisphere of right-handed people.
b. the left hemisphere of most left-handed people.
c. the right hemisphere of 97% of all people.
d. both a and b.
e. both b and c.- The consolidation of short-term memory into long-term
memory appears to be a function of
a. the substantia nigra.
b. the hippocampus.
c. the cerebral peduncles.
d. the arcuate fasciculus.
e. the precentral gyrus.
For questions 10–12, match the nature of the aphasia with its
cause (choices are listed under question 12).
- Comprehension good; can speak and write, but cannot read
(although can see). - Comprehension good; speech is slow and difficult (but motor
ability is not damaged). - Comprehension poor; speech is fluent but meaningless.
a. damage to Broca’s area
b. damage to Wernicke’s area
c. damage to angular gyrus
d. damage to precentral gyrus- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin are synthesized
by supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, which are located in
a. the thalamus. d. the hypothalamus.
b. the pineal gland. e. the pons.
c. the pituitary gland. - The superior colliculi are twin bodies within the corpora
quadrigemina of the midbrain that are involved in
a. visual reflexes.
b. auditory reflexes.
c. relaying of cutaneous information.
d. release of pituitary hormones.
15. The consolidation of declarative memory requires the
; working memory requires the .
a. occipital lobe; hippocampus
b. medial temporal lobe; prefrontal cortex
c. frontal lobe; amygdala
d. hypothalamus; precentral gyrus
Test Your Understanding- Define the term decussation, and explain the significance of
decussation in terms of the pyramidal motor system. - Describe the location of the hypothalamus and list its
functions. Explain how it serves as a link between the
nervous and endocrine systems. - The thalamus has been described as a “switchboard.”
Explain why, by describing the pathway of somatic sensory
information from the receptors to the cerebral cortex. - Distinguish between the different types of memory and
identify the brain regions that are involved in each type. - Describe the categories and EEG patterns of sleep, and
explain the possible benefits of these categories of sleep. - Electrical stimulation of the basal nuclei or cerebellum can
produce skeletal movements. Describe the pathways by
which these brain regions control motor activity. - Define the term ablation. Give two examples of how this
experimental technique has been used to learn about the
function of particular brain regions. - Explain how “split-brain” patients have contributed to
research on the function of the cerebral hemispheres.
Propose some experiments that would reveal the
lateralization of function in the two hemispheres. - What evidence do we have that Wernicke’s area may control
Broca’s area? What evidence do we have that the angular
gyrus has input to Wernicke’s area? - State two reasons why researchers distinguish between
short-term and long-term memory. - Describe evidence showing that the hippocampus is involved
in the consolidation of short-term memory. After long-
term memory is established, why may there be no need for
hippocampal involvement? - Can we be aware of a reflex action involving our skeletal
muscles? Is this awareness necessary for the response?
Explain, identifying the neural pathways involved in the
reflex response and the conscious awareness of a stimulus. - Describe the reticular activating system, and explain how
amphetamines cause wakefulness and alcohol causes
drowsiness.
Test Your Analytical Ability- Fetal alcohol syndrome, produced by excessive alcohol
consumption during pregnancy, affects different aspects
of embryonic development. Two brain regions known to
be particularly damaged in this syndrome are the corpus
callosum and the basal nuclei. Speculate on what effects
damage to these areas may produce.