The Brain Trivia Quiz

Answer: amount of blood flow to the brain

Relative brain size, telencephalon size relative to cerebellar size and amount and depth of brain folds are established predictors of intelligence, the amount of blood flow is not. Humans test high in these categories. As the complexity of the tasks carried out by the brain rises, the brain increases in size and becomes convoluted or folded. Higher intelligence suggests a need for more complex function.

Answer: touch

Touch is the first sensation that we develop in our mother's body. At eight weeks, the fetus can sense touches to lips and cheeks. Taste and sound are detected later at twelve and twenty-two weeks. The fetus starts blinking and can detect light at about twenty-eight weeks.

Answer: brainstem

The brainstem is associated with core needs such as breathing, heart rate and swallowing. All the others mentioned are not parts of the brain. Alertness, awareness and consciousness are also regulated in this part of the brain. Injury to this part of the brain may be life-limiting.

Answer: axons

Axons are the "wires" over which messages are sent to receptor cells. Axons transmit an action potential which is an electrochemical pulse. These can travel quite quickly along the axon to the synapse. Some axons are quite busy and some only fire at certain times.

When the action potential reaches the synapse,a chemical is released that affects the target cell by exciting or inhibiting it.

Answer: dura mater

The dura mater is one of three coverings of the brain and it is important to physicians in that brain injuries may lead to a subdural hematoma which can be life threatening. An epidural hemorrhage may occur as well. The dura protects the brain and carries blood and cerebral fluid in its folds that are necessary for brain health.

Answer: motor control

The cerebellum is the primary area of the brain for motor control. It is also necessary for learning and memory of motor functions. It also has some role in fear and pleasure responses. Damage to the cerebellum leads to uncoordinated and slow movements. Individuals with injury to this area may have a tremor and fall a lot but are not paralyzed.

Answer: encephalitis

Acute inflammation of the brain is called encephalitis. It is an uncommon condition and is usually caused by a virus. A related inflammation is called meningitis which is an inflammation of the coverings of the brain. Both are very serious, life-threatening illnesses.

Answer: glial cells

Glial cells surround neurons and deliver nutrients to them. The glial cells remove dead neurons and repair injury. They also play a role in the organization of neurons during development. They aid in transmission of neural activity by removing excess chemical transmitters at the synapses. There are a number of different glial cells with unique functions.

Answer: electroencephalograph

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is used primarily to assess epilepsy as well as other conditions. Scalp electrodes measure the electrical activity of the brain. Richard Caton in 1875 was the first to publish findings on the electrical activity of the brain of monkeys. One of the most common uses of an EEG, sadly, is to determine brain death in patients who are on life support measures.

Answer: Beta

Beta waves are produced when your brain activity is the highest. Alpha wave patterns are seen when you are relaxed. Delta waves are seen when you are asleep and Theta waves are mostly seen in children but can be achieved with meditation.

Answer: concussions

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a sudden jar of the cranium or a blow. The brain bounces around inside the brain case and is contused. Loss of consciousness, confusion, amnesia or coma can be the result. Prevention involves use of air bags, helmets, avoidance of contact sports and prevention of falls in the elderly.

Answer: seizures (convulsions)

Seizures (convulsions) are the most common symptoms of epilepsy as the neural activity of the brain becomes uncoordinated. The seizure activity may be subtle such as prolonged staring or a perception of strange sensations. They range though a variety of symptoms to those which we would call a "fit" with uncoordinated movements of the body and loss of consciousness.

Many people can tell when they are about to have a seizure. Dogs can detect a seizure early and service dogs are now being used to help patients predict an impending seizure.

The dog cannot be trained to perceive a seizure but has to be born with this ability and then trained to alert the patient by whining or pawing their owner.

Answer: migraines

Migraines are the cause of all these symptoms and are a very common form of headache. They usually resolve by themselves but can be recurrent and can be quite debilitating. They are due to dilation of the final branches of the external carotid arteries and due to a change in neural activity. Migraines can be a familial trait.

Avoidance of triggers and medications can be helpful for migraine sufferers.

Answer: 13,700

There were 13,700 deaths due to brain during the time mentioned in the USA and so this is not a very common cancer given the population at risk. Tumors of the brain can be benign or malignant and either arise from the tissues of the brain or be metastatic from another cancer source in the body, such as lung cancer.

Headaches, nausea and vomiting, changes in personality or memory or changes in speech or vision can be some of the symptoms of a brain cancer.

Answer: Berry aneurysm

Berry aneurysms are present in up to 30% of patients with Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease which is a familial trait. Berry aneurysms are saccular outpouchings from a ring of blood vessels called the Circle of Willis in the brain. Spontaneous rupture can occur, especially during times of high blood pressure, and can lead to strokes and deaths in the sufferers. Patients complain of a crushing headache when the rupture occurs. Surgery can be carried out to clip the aneurysm before this happens.