Brain Bee Challenge: Round IV

Parkinson's disease is caused by the loss of dopamine in the basal ganglia. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in motor control and coordination. When there is a depletion of dopamine in the basal ganglia, it leads to the characteristic symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, rigidity, and difficulty with movement. This is why the loss of dopamine in the basal ganglia is considered an important factor in the development of Parkinson's disease.

The pons and medulla oblongata are two parts of the hindbrain that help control respiration and heart rhythm. The pons is responsible for regulating the rate and depth of breathing, while the medulla oblongata controls the basic functions of the cardiovascular system, including heart rate and blood pressure. Together, these two structures play a crucial role in maintaining the body's vital functions and ensuring the proper functioning of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Cones are the photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for color vision. They contain pigments that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, allowing us to perceive a wide range of colors. Rods, on the other hand, are responsible for vision in low light conditions and do not distinguish between colors. Prisms are not photoreceptor cells; they are triangular objects that refract light, separating it into its different colors.

In the 1960s, Parkinson's patients were successfully treated for the first time using Levodopa, also known as L-dopa. This drug is a precursor to dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is deficient in Parkinson's disease. Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain, helping to alleviate the symptoms of the disease such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. It revolutionized the treatment of Parkinson's disease and remains one of the most effective medications for managing its symptoms.

The correct answer is "Eardrum". The tympanic membrane is commonly referred to as the eardrum. It is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate, which in turn, transmits the vibrations to the small bones in the middle ear. These vibrations are then transformed into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain, allowing us to perceive sound.

Functional MRI measures the changing levels of oxygen in the blood. This is because oxygenated blood has different magnetic properties compared to deoxygenated blood. By detecting these differences, functional MRI can map the areas of the brain that are active during specific tasks or cognitive processes.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive disorder that affects neurons responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements. This disease leads to the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually death. The given explanation correctly identifies amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as the disorder that matches the description provided.

The peripheral nerves from the thoracic region of the spinal cord serve the trunk of the body. The trunk refers to the central part of the body, including the chest, abdomen, and back. These nerves transmit sensory information from the trunk to the spinal cord and brain, and also carry motor signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles in the trunk, allowing for movement and sensation in this region.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is the enzyme that normally breaks down catecholamines. Catecholamines are a group of neurotransmitters that include dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. MAO plays a crucial role in the metabolism of these neurotransmitters by catalyzing their breakdown. This process helps maintain proper neurotransmitter levels in the brain and other tissues. Inhibition of MAO can lead to an increase in catecholamine levels, which can have various effects on mood, behavior, and overall physiology. Therefore, the correct answer is Monoamine oxidase, MAO.

The letters in the acronym SPECT stand for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. SPECT is a medical imaging technique that uses gamma rays emitted by a radioactive tracer to create 3D images of the internal structures of the body. It is commonly used in nuclear medicine to diagnose and monitor various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, brain disorders, and cancer.