The Human Brain

Question: Prosopagnosia is also known as ____.

Answer: Prosopagnosia is an impairment in the ability to recognize faces—hence, the colloquial name face blindness.

Question: Which is the primary function of the occipital lobe?

Answer: The occipital lobe is primarily used for processing visual information from the eyes.

Question: Which of these is NOT a part of the brainstem?

Answer: The brainstem is responsible for automatic functions of the body. It includes the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the midbrain. The cerebellum is located on the back of the brainstem but is not considered part of it.

Question: Which part of the brain controls the pituitary gland?

Answer: The hypothalamus communicates with the pituitary gland to regulate the gland’s production and secretion of hormones.

Question: The part of the brain primarily responsible for production of speech is the ____.

Answer: The Broca area, or Broca’s area, is responsible for speech and speech function. It is located in the left hemisphere of the brain, and it is crucial to the development of articulate speech.

Question: A corpus callosotomy involves ____.

Answer: This procedure involves snipping the connective tissues in the corpus callosum. This effectively separates the left and right hemispheres of the brain from each other.

Question: Which of these is NOT a component of a neuron?

Answer: A neuron is made up of dendrites, axons, myelin sheaths, Schwann’s cells, nodes of ranvier, and terminal buttons.

Question: Cells that nourish neurons are called ____.

Answer: Glial cells, or neuroglia, provide support and nourishment to neurons. There are many types of glial cells.

Question: Which is the process involving the reabsorption of neurotransmitters within a synapse for later use?

Answer: Reuptake involves the reabsorption of neurotransmitters within a synapse. Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) attempt to prevent the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This causes serotonin to build up in the synapse, which may elevate the patient’s mood.

Question: What is the function of the cerebral aqueduct?

Answer: The cerebral aqueduct connects the third and fourth ventricles. This allows for cerebrospinal fluid to flow between these areas and through the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid serves to cushion the brain and transport hormones and nutrients through it.