Brain Bee Challenge: Round IV
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The loss of dopamine in the basal ganglia is an important factor in what neurological disease?
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Alzheimer’s disease
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Parkinson’s disease
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Hereditary spastic paraplegia
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For those of you jumping in late in the game, the Brain Bee Challenge is based on questions from live Q&A competitions that test high school students’ knowledge of neuroscience. Regional and national competitions take place around the world during the winter and spring months, culminating in the International Brain Bee in July (this year in South Africa). Now that you know the context, let’s get to it! Same rules as Round III – you need to get eight out of ten questions correct.
Good luck!
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- 2.
Name the two parts of the hindbrain that help control respiration and heart rhythm.
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Pons and medulla oblongata
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Hypothalamus and thalamus
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Superior and inferior colliculi
Correct Answer
A. Pons and medulla oblongataExplanation
The pons and medulla oblongata are two parts of the hindbrain that help control respiration and heart rhythm. The pons is responsible for regulating the rate and depth of breathing, while the medulla oblongata controls the basic functions of the cardiovascular system, including heart rate and blood pressure. Together, these two structures play a crucial role in maintaining the body's vital functions and ensuring the proper functioning of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the two types of photo receptor cells conveys the sense of color?
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Rods
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Cones
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Prisms
Correct Answer
A. ConesExplanation
Cones are the photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for color vision. They contain pigments that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, allowing us to perceive a wide range of colors. Rods, on the other hand, are responsible for vision in low light conditions and do not distinguish between colors. Prisms are not photoreceptor cells; they are triangular objects that refract light, separating it into its different colors.Rate this question:
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- 4.
In the 1960’s, Parkinson’s patients were successfully treated for the first time using what drug?
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Clozapine
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Levodopa, L-dopa
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Memantine
Correct Answer
A. Levodopa, L-dopaExplanation
In the 1960s, Parkinson's patients were successfully treated for the first time using Levodopa, also known as L-dopa. This drug is a precursor to dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is deficient in Parkinson's disease. Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain, helping to alleviate the symptoms of the disease such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. It revolutionized the treatment of Parkinson's disease and remains one of the most effective medications for managing its symptoms.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The tympanic membrane is another name for what part of the ear?
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Cochlea
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Malleus
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Eardrum
Correct Answer
A. EardrumExplanation
The correct answer is "Eardrum". The tympanic membrane is commonly referred to as the eardrum. It is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate, which in turn, transmits the vibrations to the small bones in the middle ear. These vibrations are then transformed into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain, allowing us to perceive sound.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Functional MRI measures the changing levels of what in the blood?
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Iron
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Nitrogen
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Oxygen
Correct Answer
A. OxygenExplanation
Functional MRI measures the changing levels of oxygen in the blood. This is because oxygenated blood has different magnetic properties compared to deoxygenated blood. By detecting these differences, functional MRI can map the areas of the brain that are active during specific tasks or cognitive processes.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, this progressive disorder affects neurons that control voluntary muscle movements such as walking.
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Hereditary spastic paraplegia
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Multiple sclerosis
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Correct Answer
A. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosisExplanation
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive disorder that affects neurons responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements. This disease leads to the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually death. The given explanation correctly identifies amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as the disorder that matches the description provided.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Peripheral nerves from the thoracic region of the spinal cord serve what part of the body?
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The trunk
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The legs
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The head and neck
Correct Answer
A. The trunkExplanation
The peripheral nerves from the thoracic region of the spinal cord serve the trunk of the body. The trunk refers to the central part of the body, including the chest, abdomen, and back. These nerves transmit sensory information from the trunk to the spinal cord and brain, and also carry motor signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles in the trunk, allowing for movement and sensation in this region.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Name the enzyme that normally breaks down catecholamines.
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Monoamine oxidase, MAO
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Nitric oxide, NO
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Choline acetyltransferase
Correct Answer
A. Monoamine oxidase, MAOExplanation
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is the enzyme that normally breaks down catecholamines. Catecholamines are a group of neurotransmitters that include dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. MAO plays a crucial role in the metabolism of these neurotransmitters by catalyzing their breakdown. This process helps maintain proper neurotransmitter levels in the brain and other tissues. Inhibition of MAO can lead to an increase in catecholamine levels, which can have various effects on mood, behavior, and overall physiology. Therefore, the correct answer is Monoamine oxidase, MAO.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What do the letters stand for in the acronym SPECT?
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Single positron emission computed tomography
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Single photon emission computed tomography
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Single photon eviction computed topography
Correct Answer
A. Single photon emission computed tomographyExplanation
The letters in the acronym SPECT stand for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. SPECT is a medical imaging technique that uses gamma rays emitted by a radioactive tracer to create 3D images of the internal structures of the body. It is commonly used in nuclear medicine to diagnose and monitor various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, brain disorders, and cancer.Rate this question:
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Nov 24, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Feb 02, 2012Quiz Created by
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