The largest part of the brain, which is what you actually see when you

Question

The largest part of the brain, which is what you actually see when you look at a brain from above or the side, is the neocortex. The neocortex is really a 1.5 square foot sheet of cells wadded up a bit to fit inside the head. The neurons in the neocortex form a complex neural circuit that is repeated millions of times across the cortical surface. This repeated neural circuit is called a minicolumn.

The brain contains many specialized areas associated with particular senses (vision versus  audition , for example) and other areas mediating particular motor outputs (like moving the leg versus the tongue). The function of different brain areas depends not on any particular structure of the minicolumns within it, but its inputs and outputs. So even though the cell types and circuits in the auditor cortex are similar to those in the visual and motor cortices, the auditory cortex is the auditory cortex because it receives inputs from the cochlea (a part of the ear) and because it sends output to areas associated with processing auditory information and using it to guide behavior.    1 
 1. Which of the following statements most accurately captures the main point of the passage?

(A) The human brain is complex and misunderstood.
(B) Most people have minicolumns in their brains.
(C) The brain’s minicolumns are key to how it works, as are the inputs it receives.
(D) The brain understands auditory and visual inputs in different ways.
(E) The neocortex is what most of us think of as “the brain.”

2 
 2. Which of the following statements is the most specific definition of a minicolumn, according to the passage?

(A) A repeated neural circuit in the brain
(B) A less-than-full-sized column
(C) The auditory cortex input pattern
(D) A part of the brain
(E) The feedback loop between the neocortex and the rest of the brain

3 
 3. The second paragraph plays what role in this passage?

(A) It refutes the argument about the neocortex presented in the first paragraph.
(B) It clarifies a broad opinion about the human brain stated in the first paragraph.
(C) It presents a series of examples that prove the first paragraph’s thesis about the brain is correct.
(D) It supplies further details and information about a general concept presented in the first paragraph.
(E) It concludes the argument presented in the first paragraph by restating it using an anecdote about the neocortex.

4 
 4. The  Highlighted ] word audition in the passage could best be replaced with which of the following words or phrases?

(A) Try-out
(B) A hearing
(C) A competition
(D) Decibel level
(E) Auditory

5 
 5. Which situation is most similar to the brain function described in the second paragraph?

(A) A sewer system is created with specific pipes for different kinds of waste being carried through it.
(B) A phone system is built out of a single type of wire which adjusts to respond to the location of the call being placed.
(C) A man keeps a capsule wardrobe which has outfits appropriate for many different occasions.
(D) The military maintains several different divisions for peacekeeping in a variety of terrains.
(E) A woman decides to use the same color of paint throughout very room in her house.

6 
 6. Based on the passage, it can be inferred that a minicolumn would be most likely to do which of the following?

(A) Remain securely in the vision function of the brain if used there.
(B) Receive input and output from a variety of senses. 
(C) Control the neocortex.
(D) Respond differently to different inputs from vision or hearing.
(E) Calcify if not used on a daily basis.

7 
 7. Which of the following statements most accurately captures the author’s attitude towards the brain, based on this passage?

(A) Full of wonder, uncomprehending
(B) Aggrieved that it's not better understood
(C) Reflective and poetic
(D) Factual and explanatory
(E) Eager to convince, winning

Neuroscience For Dummies  by Frank Amthor

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

4. The   word audition in the passage could best be replaced with which of the following words or phrases?

Explanation

The context gives you the clues you need to understand this unusual usage of  audition . It’s used here as opposing vision, indicating that it’s an adjective too. That makes Choice (E),  auditory , also an adjective relating to hearing, the best.

Answer: E

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

6. Based on the passage, it can be inferred that a minicolumn would be most likely to do which of the following?

Explanation

Choice (D)  gets at a reasonable inference from reading the passage. If, as the passage suggests, minicolumns are the same in the brain and respond to become part of a certain area because of the input from a different sense, it stands to reason that they might also be able to change based on those inputs. Thus, it is correct.

Answer: D

Its_me_aka_ak · Answer

might be a naive question but where do the passage suggest that minicolumn even react. as per my understanding it is a part of a mere sheet in the head which do not even influence the functions of brain areas

Sajjad1994 · Answer

The passage explains that the neocortex is made up of minicolumns, which are repeated neural circuits that are responsible for processing information across the cortical surface. The function of different brain areas depends on their inputs and outputs, not on the particular structure of the minicolumns within them.

Therefore, a minicolumn in the visual cortex would respond differently to inputs related to vision, while a minicolumn in the auditory cortex would respond differently to inputs related to hearing. The specialization of different brain areas depends on the type of sensory inputs they receive and the specific motor outputs they mediate. Thus, each minicolumn is tailored to process and respond to the specific type of information it receives based on the functions of the brain area it belongs to.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

5. Which situation is most similar to the brain function described in the second paragraph?

Explanation

The second paragraph describes how the function of different brain areas depends on their inputs and outputs rather than the specific structure of the minicolumns within them. Let's analyze each option to determine which situation is most similar:

(A)  This does not align with the brain function described in the paragraph. The sewer system involves specific pipes for different kinds of waste, whereas the brain function is more about inputs and outputs.

(B)  This option is similar. The phone system uses a single type of wire, similar to the repeated neural circuit (minicolumn) in the brain. However, the adjustment to respond to the location of the call is not directly analogous to the brain's dependence on inputs and outputs.

(C)  This situation involves a wardrobe with outfits suitable for different occasions but does not relate to the function of different brain areas and their dependence on inputs and outputs.

(D)  This option involves different divisions for different terrains, which does not align with the brain function described in the paragraph.

(E)  This situation does not match the brain function described in the paragraph. It's more about uniformity in color rather than the dependence of brain function on inputs and outputs.

The option that is most similar to the brain function described in the second paragraph is (B) A phone system is built out of a single type of wire which adjusts to respond to the location of the call being placed. Although not a perfect analogy, it captures the idea of a common structure (single type of wire/minicolumn) adjusting based on inputs (location of the call/inputs and outputs in the brain).

Answer: B

The largest part of the brain, which is what you actually see when you

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The largest part of the brain, which is what you actually see when you

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards