Section B — Coach Brain — Meet Your Brain
This section covers Chapter 1, Lessons 1.1 through 1.4.
Part A — Vocabulary (20 points, 2 points each)
Select the best answer for each question.
1. A neuron is:
A) A type of food B) A single brain cell — one of the building blocks of the brain C) A part of the heart D) A vitamin
2. A synapse is:
A) The hard outside of the skull B) The small gap between two neurons where chemical messages cross C) A muscle in the head D) A part of the eye
3. A neurotransmitter is:
A) A nerve in the arm B) A chemical messenger that carries signals across the synapse from one neuron to the next C) A blood cell D) A bone in the skull
4. The prefrontal cortex is:
A) The back of the brain B) The brain region behind your forehead, involved in planning, decision-making, attention, and self-control C) The same thing as the spinal cord D) The part of the brain that controls heartbeat
5. The amygdala is:
A) A region deep in the brain that processes strong emotions, including fear B) The brain region that handles language C) A part of the eye D) A type of memory cell
6. The hippocampus is:
A) A bone in the skull B) A region of the brain involved in forming new memories C) The brain's energy supply D) The largest part of the brain
7. Neuroplasticity means:
A) The brain is made of plastic B) The brain can change its structure and connections in response to experience, learning, and practice C) The brain stops growing after age 5 D) The brain is fragile and easily broken
8. Myelin is:
A) A part of the eye B) A fatty coating that wraps around the long parts of some neurons to help signals travel faster C) A type of brain region D) A chemical messenger
9. Gray matter is:
A) The same thing as bone B) The part of the brain made up mostly of neuron cell bodies — where much of the brain's thinking work happens C) A type of food D) Hair color
10. Adolescence is the period when:
A) The brain stops growing B) The body and brain are still developing, with major brain changes continuing into the mid-twenties C) Only the heart changes D) Nothing important is happening
Part B — Concept Comprehension (20 points, 2 points each)
Select the best answer for each question.
11. Your brain has approximately how many neurons?
A) 86 thousand B) 86 million C) 86 billion D) 86 trillion
12. Your brain weighs about:
A) A few ounces B) Three pounds C) Twenty pounds D) The same as your body
13. Although the brain is only about 2 percent of your body's weight, it uses approximately what fraction of your daily energy?
A) Less than 1 percent B) About 5 percent C) About 20 percent D) About 90 percent
14. A single neuron can connect to approximately how many other neurons?
A) 1 B) 10 C) About 7,000 D) Several million
15. The brain region behind your forehead — the one most involved in planning, focus, and self-control — finishes developing:
A) By age 5 B) By age 12 C) In the mid-twenties D) Only at age 70
16. Neurons talk to each other:
A) By yelling out loud B) By sending electrical signals along their length and chemical messages across synapses C) Through the blood only D) By touching directly without any gap
17. When you learn a new skill, the changes in your brain are:
A) Imaginary — nothing really changes B) Real — connections between neurons grow stronger with practice, and new pathways can form C) Painful and permanent D) Only possible before age 6
18. The amygdala becomes more active when you:
A) Feel calm and safe B) Face strong emotions like fear or anger C) Are sleeping D) Eat a meal
19. The hippocampus is especially important for:
A) Controlling heartbeat B) Forming new memories — including remembering what you learned in school today C) Producing tears D) Growing hair
20. "Your brain is still growing" through middle school and beyond means:
A) Your head will get much bigger B) The structure and connections of your brain are still being shaped — what you do, learn, eat, sleep, and pay attention to matters for your future brain C) Your brain will weigh more pounds every year D) You should stop trying to learn new things
Part C — Application (30 points, 6 points each)
Write 2-3 complete sentences for each question.
21. A classmate says, "I'm just bad at math — my brain isn't a math brain." Using what you learned about neuroplasticity, explain why this kind of "fixed brain" thinking is not really accurate for a 12-year-old.
22. The brain uses about 20 percent of your body's energy even though it is only about 2 percent of your body's weight. Why does the brain need so much energy compared to its size? (Hint: think about what neurons do all the time.)
23. Describe the role of the prefrontal cortex in your day. Pick one decision you have made recently and explain what role the prefrontal cortex played in it.
24. The amygdala is sometimes called the brain's "alarm system." Why does Coach Brain teach you about this? Describe one situation where your amygdala might activate, and what could help you respond well.
25. Coach Brain says your brain is still growing and what you do as a middle schooler matters for the brain you have at age 25. Give two examples of choices a middle schooler makes that affect the brain over the long run, and explain why those choices matter.
Continue to Section C — Coach Sleep.