Question 1

In Alzheimer's disease, the hippocampus is _____ than normal, which is the _____ in healthy aging.

Accepted Answer

A)  larger; same as 
B)  larger; opposite of 
C)  smaller; same as 
D)  smaller; opposite of

Question 2

Some of the MOST dramatic changes in the adolescent brain occur in the:

Accepted Answer

A)  hippocampus. 
B)  basal ganglia. 
C)  prefrontal cortex. 
D)  cerebellum.

Question 3

In humans:

Accepted Answer

A)  up to 42 percent of all synapses in the cortex may be pruned. 
B)  synapses that are seldom used become strengthened. 
C)  synaptogenesis begins at birth. 
D)  the number of synapses is relatively constant from birth until age 8.

Question 4

Mutations on which genes seem to be associated with early-onset Alzheimer's?

Accepted Answer

A)  APP, PS2, and APOE 
B)  CLU, PICALM, and CR1 
C)  APP, PS1, and PS2 
D)  CLU, PICALM, and APOE

Question 5

The process of neuronal birth is called:

Accepted Answer

A)  apoptosis. 
B)  neurogenesis. 
C)  mutation. 
D)  synaptogenesis.

Question 6

During childhood apoptosis:

Accepted Answer

A)  neurons die as a result of accidents or disease. 
B)  neurons with fewer connections to other neurons are more likely to survive. 
C)  there is an increase in neurotrophic factors such as BDNF. 
D)  about one-third of the neurons die.

Question 7

People who _____ have a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Accepted Answer

A)  watch a lot of TV 
B)  sleep a lot 
C)  have a high education level 
D)  spend most of their time alone

Question 8

People with _____ perform worse on learning and memory tests than people with _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  one copy of the Val allele; one copy of the Met allele 
B)  one copy of the Met allele; two copies of the Met allele 
C)  two copies of the Val allele; two copies of the Met allele 
D)  two copies of the Met allele; two copies of the Val allele

Question 9

In a paired associate test of memory, elderly adults:

Accepted Answer

A)  are better than college students in a directed forgetting test. 
B)  experience more problems during retrieval than during encoding. 
C)  perform well if items are presented at a slower pace during study. 
D)  outperform college students under most conditions.

Question 10

A tiny protrusion on a dendrite where a synapse may form is known as a:

Accepted Answer

A)  neuron. 
B)  neurotransmitter. 
C)  spine. 
D)  myelin sheath.

Question 11

What kinds of brain abnormalities are seen in children with Down syndrome? Which of these abnormalities seems to result in memory impairment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What kinds of brain abnormalities are seen...

Question 12

Which type of memory ability is usually the first to show signs of impairment in people with Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

A)  episodic memory 
B)  semantic memory 
C)  conditioning 
D)  skill memory

Question 13

What has been suggested by research on fraternal and identical twins?

Accepted Answer

A)  The research has been mostly inconclusive. 
B)  Nearly all of the variation in memory scores may be accounted for by differences in the environment and upbringing. 
C)  More than half of the variation in memory scores may be accounted for by differences in genetic makeup. 
D)  Nearly all of the variation in memory scores may be accounted for by differences in genetic makeup.

Question 14

The time period in which learning is MOST effective is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  a critical period. 
B)  a sensitive period. 
C)  an imprinting period. 
D)  the gestational age.

Question 15

The research on the development of episodic and semantic memory discussed in the textbook showed that:

Accepted Answer

A)  semantic memory, but not episodic memory, is present in young children. 
B)  episodic memory, but not semantic memory, is present in young children. 
C)  semantic memory seems to develop more slowly than episodic memory. 
D)  episodic memory seems to develop more slowly than semantic memory.

Question 16

In children, the dominant process in language learning is _____, while in adults it is _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  semantic memory; social imitation 
B)  semantic memory; episodic memory 
C)  social imitation; semantic memory 
D)  social imitation; episodic memory

Question 17

Which statement is TRUE regarding neurogenesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  It continues up until young adulthood and then stops. 
B)  In primates, it has only been unambiguously documented in a few brain regions. 
C)  Most of the new neurons are relatively permanent. 
D)  Although new neurons are produced, they usually do not make connections with existing neurons.

Question 18

For which individual would learning be the MOST difficult?

Accepted Answer

A)  a 25-year-old trying to learn to play tennis 
B)  a 40-year-old trying to learn to type 
C)  a 70-year-old trying to learn to use an iPad 
D)  a 75-year-old expert chess player trying to improve his game

Question 19

What are two areas of the brain in which neurons die off in old age? What memory systems are affected by this neural loss?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are two areas of the brain...

Question 20

Research has shown that the use of gestures:

Accepted Answer

A)  emerges before children have mastered spoken language. 
B)  is negatively correlated with the development of verbal language. 
C)  causes parents to reduce verbal communication with their children. 
D)  may interfere with the development of verbal language.

Exam 12: Development and Aging:learning and Memory Across the Lifespan

In Alzheimer's disease, the hippocampus is _ than normal, which is the _ in healthy aging.