to accompany
Neuroscience, Sixth Edition
Purves • Augustine • Fitzpatrick • Hall • LaMantia • Mooney • Platt • White
Chapter 12: Central Visual Pathways
Multiple Choice
1. Ganglion cell axons cross at the _______, thus the _______ contains information from
both eyes.
a. optic radiation; optic tract
b. optic chiasm; optic nerve
c. optic chiasm; optic tract
d. optic tract; optic chiasm
e. optic tract; optic nerve
Answer: c
Textbook Reference: Central Projections of Retinal Ganglion Cells
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding
2. What percentage of ganglion cell axons do not cross at the optic chiasm?
a. 10%
b. 25%
c. 40%
d. 50%
e. 65%
Answer: c
Textbook Reference: Central Projections of Retinal Ganglion Cells
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering
3. A man is brought to the emergency room after a car crash. A doctor shines a light in
his right eye and only the right pupil constricts. Which of the following regions is most
likely damaged?
a. Primary visual cortex
b. Edinger-Westphal nucleus
c. Lateral geniculate nucleus
d. Internal capsule
e. Striate cortex
Answer: b
Textbook Reference: Central Projections of Retinal Ganglion Cells
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying
4. Which region is not a target of retinal ganglion cell axons?
a. Pretectum
b. Superior colliculus
,c. Suprachiasmatic nucleus
d. Striate Cortex
e. Lateral geniculate nucleus
Answer: d
Textbook Reference: Central Projections of Retinal Ganglion Cells
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding
5. A common genetic mutation causes a decrease in the crossing of the nerves at the optic
chiasm in cats. These cats are still able to function normally by crossing their eyes. Why
do they have to make this behavioral change?
a. To better see objects in motion
b. To regain their central vision
c. To regain binocular vision
d. To increase visual acuity
e. To regain their peripheral vision
Answer: e
Textbook Reference: Central Projections of Retinal Ganglion Cells
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying
6. A researcher interested in studying how the brain adapts to complete loss of the right
visual field should lesion which region to create an animal model of this anopsia?
a. Left optic tract
b. Left optic radiation
c. Left optic nerve
d. Right optic tract
e. Right optic radiation
Answer: a
Textbook Reference: Central Projections of Retinal Ganglion Cells
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying
7. What is the name for the optic radiations that run through the temporal lobe on the way
to the striate cortex?
a. Anopsias
b. Meyer’s loop
c. Pretectum
d. Brodmann’s Area 17
e. Superior colliculus
Answer: b
Textbook Reference: Central Projections of Retinal Ganglion Cells
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering
8. How are ganglion cells that project to the hypothalamus different than other ganglion
cells?
a. They do not cross at the optic chiasm.
b. They rely on rods and cones for light sensitivity.
c. They can modulate responses to light using their own photopigment.
, d. They form connections with bipolar cells in the retina.
e. Their input is modified by interneurons.
Answer: c
Textbook Reference: Functionally Distinct Types of Retinal Ganglion Cells
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding
9. An object located in the superior, temporal quadrant of the visual field would be
mapped on which quadrant of the retina?
a. Inferior, nasal
b. Inferior, temporal
c. Superior, nasal
d. Superior, temporal
e. Nasal, temporal
Answer: a
Textbook Reference: Retinotopic Representation of the Visual Field
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding
10. The most anterior portions of the striate cortex correspond to which part of the visual
field?
a. Macular
b. Binocular
c. Superior
d. Temporal
e. Monocular
Answer: e
Textbook Reference: Retinotopic Representation of the Visual Field
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding
11. Damage to the striate cortex below the calcarine sulcus would result in difficulty
processing information from which visual field?
a. Inferior
b. Nasal
c. Superior
d. Temporal
e. Monocular
Answer: c
Textbook Reference: Retinotopic Representation of the Visual Field
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying
12. How does the shape of the face affect binocular vision?
a. It restricts the upper visual field.
b. It reflects light into the eyes.
c. It enhances peripheral vision.
d. It restricts the lower visual field.
e. It enhances the nasal visual field.
Answer: d