A Brainy Quiz

Answer: False

These areas are associated with speech. Broca's area, named for French surgeon Pierre Paul Broca (1824-1880), is associated with movements of the tongue, lips, palate, and vocal cords necessary to create speech. Wernicke's area, named for German neurologist Carl Wernicke (1848-1905), helps us with the recognition and understanding of spoken language.

Answer: hair and nail growth

The brain stem in conjunction with the limbic system also controls the temperature of our bodies and our heart rate. Our emotions and behavior can run the gamut from nice to not so nice.

Answer: meninges

In humans, the three layers of meninges are the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. Meningitis is a life-threatening illness in which the meninges become inflamed, possibly by a virus or bacteria.

Answer: frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal

The frontal lobe lies under your forehead and toward the top of your head. At the crown of your head is the parietal lobe. The occipital lobe is located at the back of your head, and the temporal is found along the sides of your head (temples) above your ears.

Answer: anoxia

Anoxia is considered to be a medical-emergency type of situation. High altitudes can cause anoxia in some people. Other causes include the inability of a person's blood to absorb oxygen and get it to vital parts of the body, heart pumping problems, and respiratory problems.

Answer: dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which means it works to send messages to nerve cells. It is involved in regulating glands that produce hormones. Emotions, learning, and movement are also affected by dopamine.

Answer: endorphins

The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus produce endorphins during times of excitement, stress, and exercise. The term comes from the words "endogenous" and "morphine" and means a morphine or opiate type of substance produced by the body. Endorphins actually inhibit nerve cells from producing pain signals.

Answer: vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is important in the body's ability to process carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Drinking too much alcohol can cause two serious health problems related to thiamine deficiency: a cardiovascular disease known as "wet beriberi," and a nervous system disease known as "dry beriberi."

Answer: nerves

There are two categories of nerves. Those nerves which send sensory information to the central nervous system are called "sensory nerves" or "afferent nerves". Nerves which send messages from the central nervous system to muscles are called "motor nerves" or "efferent nerves".

Answer: bipolar disorder

Persons with a bipolar disorder experience severe mood swings. A host of behaviors can be present during these times including poor judgement, inability to control temper, and uncontrolled eating or spending. Treatments include medications, electroconvulsive therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation.