Quiz: Test your (action) potential!

Today marks the beginning of Brain Awareness Week (BAW), a global campaign aiming to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. Why not take our quiz to find out how much you know already!

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Quiz: How much do you know about the brain?

In support of Brain Awareness Week we wanted to give you a chance to test just how brainy you are; you might be surprised! Why not try our quiz to find out if you know your hippocampus from your cerebellum and learn about some of the fantastic advances being made by brain researchers.

  1. Question 1 of 7

    1.

    Let’s start off with some neuroanatomy!

    The brain acts as our body’s control center and is organized into several parts, each with a specific role to play: do you know which is the largest part of the human brain?

    • That’s correct!

      The cerebrum is divided into two separate hemispheres bridged by a bundle of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum. The largest part of the brain, the cerebrum is associated with higher order functioning.

    • Sorry that’s not right!

      The cerebrum is the correct answer. This is divided into two separate hemispheres bridged by a bundle of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum. It’s associated with higher order functioning.

      The hippocampus is actually a small part of the brain located in the medial temporal lobe. Named due to its seahorse-shaped structure, it’s one of the most active regions for neurogenesis and is involved in learning, memory and emotion.

      The olfactory bulb is actually a relatively small region of the brain responsible for processing our sense of smell.

    Next »Check My Answer!
  2. Question 2 of 7

    2.

    The outer layer of the cerebrum (the cerebral cortex) is folded into many wrinkles and grooves that increase the brains surface area and allow for inclusion of many more neurons.

    How many neurons do you think there are in the human brain?

    • That’s correct!

      Although the absolute number of neurons in the human brain remains unknown, our latest estimate is approximately 86 billion!

    • That’s not right!

      Although the absolute number of neurons in the human brain remains unknown, our latest estimate is approximately 86 billion!

      Lobster brains are thought to contain around 100,000 neurons, and octopus brains are thought to have around 500 million.

    Next »Check My Answer!
  3. Question 3 of 7

    3.

    Neuroscientists have the daunting task of deciphering how the different regions of the brain coordinate and command the body.

    Do you know the role of the cerebellum, a part of the hindbrain?

    • That’s correct!

      The cerebellum is thought to be important for several processes, particularly those involving the control of movement. Studying the pathologies of the cerebellum has helped reveal that it plays a major role in motor-coordination.

      Learn more about the role of the cerebellum in this article from Cerebellum & Ataxias here.

    • Sorry that’s not right.

      It’s the cerebellum that is thought to be important for several processes, particularly those involving the control of movement. Studying the pathologies of the cerebellum has helped reveal that it plays a major role in motor-coordination.

      Auditory information is actually processed by the temporal lobe, and visual information is processed by the occipital lobe, both of which are zones of the cerebral cortex.

      Learn more about the role of the cerebellum in this article from Cerebellum & Ataxias here.

    Next »Check My Answer!
  4. Question 4 of 7

    4.

    The brain’s olfactory bulb plays a prominent role in our sense of smell and taste: which type of scientists study the adaptations responsible for the brain’s enhanced flavor perception?

    • That’s right, it was neurogastronomy.

      And neuroenology refers to the discipline that studies how the brain creates the taste of wine!

      Learn more about the neuroscience behind our sense of taste in this article from Flavour

    • Nearly, but not quite!

      Neuroenology actually refers to the discipline that studies how the brain creates the taste of wine!

      Learn more about the neuroscience behind our sense of taste in this article from Flavour

    Next »Check My Answer!
  5. Question 5 of 7

    5.

    Talking of food…

    The benefits of a healthy diet on physical health are well established. Eating your fruit and veg might also improve your psychological health, true or false?

    • You’re right!

      In the past ten years research on the effect of diet and nutrition on mental health has skyrocketed, with mounting evidence indicating that diet and nutrition are as important to psychiatry as they are to cardiology.

      Learn more from BMC Psychiatry.

    • Actually…

      In the past ten years research on the effect of diet and nutrition on mental health has skyrocketed, with mounting evidence indicating that diet and nutrition are as important to psychiatry as they are to cardiology.

      Learn more from BMC Psychiatry.

    Next »Check My Answer!
  6. Question 6 of 7

    6.

    Neuroscientists around the world dedicate their careers to improving our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases: do you know which proteins have now been linked to Alzheimer’s disease?

    • That’s right!

      Both neuritic plaques formed by beta amyloid and tau-based neurofibrillary tangles are considered hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease: mostly developing in brain regions important for memory and intellectual functions.

      Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and tau in this article from Molecular Neurodegeneration.

    • You’re not completely wrong, but….

      Both beta amyloid and tau are considered hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

      Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and tau in this article from Molecular Neurodegeneration.

    Next »Check My Answer!
  7. Question 7 of 7

    7.

    In order to restore walking in someone with paraplegia (impairment of motor or sensory function of the lower extremities), the brain needs to be able to control an individual’s legs: do you know which of the following might help with this?

    • That’s right!

      Brain-computer interfaces can allow the brain to control walking by recording the brainwaves associated with attempted walking and using them to control the lower extremities.

      Learn more about brain-computer interfaces from the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.

    • Nearly…

      Although walking movements can be produced in the lower extremities through robotic exoskeletons and electrical stimulation systems, brain-computer interfaces are first required to record the brainwaves associated with attempted walking.

      Learn more about brain-computer interfaces from the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.

    Next »Check My Answer!

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See what else we’re doing in support of Brain Awareness Week here.

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