Brain Story Exam Questions and Answers
Brain Story Exam Questions and Answers
Question 1
Brain Development starts shortly after conception. The brain is considered mature
around the age of:
Correct Answer
25
Question 2
Order these stages of development from greatest plasticity to least
Correct Answer
Early childhood, late childhood, adolescence, adulthood
Question 3
The age at which a human brain has the most connections between neurons is:
Correct Answer
3
Question 4
How do experiences shape the developing brain?
Correct Answer
They influence which neural connections are strengthened and which are pruned
away
Question 5
Different abilities, and their underlying neural circuits, develop in a bottom-up
sequence during sensitive periods. Put the following abilities in the correct sequence
of development.
Correct Answer
Sensory abilities, motor skills, emotional skills, executive function skills
Page 1 of 19
, Brain Story Exam Questions and Answers
Question 6
At what stage of development do negative experiences influence the architecture of
the developing brain?
Correct Answer
At any stage of development
Question 7
Most traits and diseases in humans are derived from:
Correct Answer
The interaction between genes and environmental influences
Question 8
Which of the following is an example of an epigenetic effect?
Correct Answer
An environmental factor modifies the area surrounding a gene such that its
expression decreases
Question 9
Which gene has been shown to be epigenetically modified by the quality of maternal
care in rat offspring?
Correct Answer
The glucocorticoid receptor gene
Question 10
What happens to the stress response system when the glucocorticoid receptor gene
is epigenetically modified such that it is less active and produces fewer receptors?
Correct Answer
The stress response increases
Page 2 of 19
, Brain Story Exam Questions and Answers
Question 11
What pre-exisiting condition(s) are associated with epigenetic modification of the
glucocorticoid receptor gene in victims of suicide?
Correct Answer
Childhood maltreatment
Question 12
Which of the following outcomes is NOT related to the quality of parental care a child
receives?
Correct Answer
Manual dexterity
Question 13
Which two hormones are involved in initiating our response to stress?
Correct Answer
Cortisol and adrenalin
Question 14
Which of the following answers best describes the difference between tolerable and
toxic stress in a child?
Correct Answer
Tolerable stress is buffered by supportive adult relationships but toxic stress is not
Question 15
Allostatic changes due to activation of the stress response can produce allostatic load
on the body and brain. Which of the following pairs does NOT correctly identify an
allostatic change and its corresponding allostatic load?
Correct Answer
Silencing of the glucocorticoid receptor gene and glucocorticoid resistance
Page 3 of 19
Brain Story Exam Questions and Answers
Question 1
Brain Development starts shortly after conception. The brain is considered mature
around the age of:
Correct Answer
25
Question 2
Order these stages of development from greatest plasticity to least
Correct Answer
Early childhood, late childhood, adolescence, adulthood
Question 3
The age at which a human brain has the most connections between neurons is:
Correct Answer
3
Question 4
How do experiences shape the developing brain?
Correct Answer
They influence which neural connections are strengthened and which are pruned
away
Question 5
Different abilities, and their underlying neural circuits, develop in a bottom-up
sequence during sensitive periods. Put the following abilities in the correct sequence
of development.
Correct Answer
Sensory abilities, motor skills, emotional skills, executive function skills
Page 1 of 19
, Brain Story Exam Questions and Answers
Question 6
At what stage of development do negative experiences influence the architecture of
the developing brain?
Correct Answer
At any stage of development
Question 7
Most traits and diseases in humans are derived from:
Correct Answer
The interaction between genes and environmental influences
Question 8
Which of the following is an example of an epigenetic effect?
Correct Answer
An environmental factor modifies the area surrounding a gene such that its
expression decreases
Question 9
Which gene has been shown to be epigenetically modified by the quality of maternal
care in rat offspring?
Correct Answer
The glucocorticoid receptor gene
Question 10
What happens to the stress response system when the glucocorticoid receptor gene
is epigenetically modified such that it is less active and produces fewer receptors?
Correct Answer
The stress response increases
Page 2 of 19
, Brain Story Exam Questions and Answers
Question 11
What pre-exisiting condition(s) are associated with epigenetic modification of the
glucocorticoid receptor gene in victims of suicide?
Correct Answer
Childhood maltreatment
Question 12
Which of the following outcomes is NOT related to the quality of parental care a child
receives?
Correct Answer
Manual dexterity
Question 13
Which two hormones are involved in initiating our response to stress?
Correct Answer
Cortisol and adrenalin
Question 14
Which of the following answers best describes the difference between tolerable and
toxic stress in a child?
Correct Answer
Tolerable stress is buffered by supportive adult relationships but toxic stress is not
Question 15
Allostatic changes due to activation of the stress response can produce allostatic load
on the body and brain. Which of the following pairs does NOT correctly identify an
allostatic change and its corresponding allostatic load?
Correct Answer
Silencing of the glucocorticoid receptor gene and glucocorticoid resistance
Page 3 of 19
