EXSC 410 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS!!
• What is executive functioning? What part of the brain is largely responsible for
executive functioning?
answers: o Processes that control cognitive functions toward goal-directed
behavior
Scheduling
Planning
Working memory
Interference control
Multi-tasking
o Supported largely by prefrontal cortex
• What changes occur in the brain during normal aging?
answers: o Exercise may slow or reverse neuronal loss in neurodegenerative
diseases, reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder, recover function after
brain and spinal cord injuries and retain cognitive function
• What are the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease?
answers: o Beta amyloid plaques
o Tau neurofibrillary tangles
o Cell death (atrophy)
o Acetylcholine deficits
,• Describe the role of exercise in preventing, delaying, and/or reversing cognitive
decline
answers: PA delays the incidence of dementia and the onset of cognitive decline
associated with aging, improves aspects of cognitive function or reduces symptoms
of dementia
o What type of study is used to investigate the risk of developing dementia?
answers: Longitudinal Studies
o What type of study is used to investigate whether PA can improve cognitive
function or reverse decline?
answers: Intervention Studies
• How can exercise help those with Alzheimer's disease?
answers: Exercise improves body composition, glucose tolerance, insulin
sensitivity, blood pressure, blood lipid levels, less inflammation/oxidative stress
o Increased neuroplasticity is one mechanism explaining the relationship between
exercise and improved cognitive function. What is neuroplasticity, neurogenesis,
and synaptic plasticity?
answers: o Neuroplasticity: the brain's ability to adapt to a changing environment
and remodel itself throughout the lifespan
o Neurogenesis: birth of new neurons in the adult hippocampus
o Synaptic plasticity: exercise can make existing synapses stronger and help build
more synapses
, • What is the general relationship between physical activity and academic
performance?
answers: o It's evident, but research designs are often weak and effects are small to
moderate
• What components of executive function (3 discussed in class) are most
commonly studied in children? Be able to give me an example of each.
answers: o Flexibility: being able to read the note your best friend passes to you
and then answer the teacher's question about the capital of Michigan when she calls
on you
o Working memory: Listening to the teacher read a passage from Huckleberry Finn
and then being able to paraphrase the major points
o Inhibition: being able to ignore the guy mowing the lawn outside the window
while listening to the teacher's lesson on multiplying fractions
• What are potential mechanisms explaining how exercise improves cognitive
function in children?
answers: o Physio: increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor, catecholamine
levels
o Psych: improved self-esteem, self-efficacy
o Other: reduced obesity, improved sleep, reduced fatigue
• What are the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for substance-use disorder? You do not
need to memorize all 11 symptoms, but be familiar with them.
answers: o Recurrent substance use resulting in failure
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS!!
• What is executive functioning? What part of the brain is largely responsible for
executive functioning?
answers: o Processes that control cognitive functions toward goal-directed
behavior
Scheduling
Planning
Working memory
Interference control
Multi-tasking
o Supported largely by prefrontal cortex
• What changes occur in the brain during normal aging?
answers: o Exercise may slow or reverse neuronal loss in neurodegenerative
diseases, reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder, recover function after
brain and spinal cord injuries and retain cognitive function
• What are the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease?
answers: o Beta amyloid plaques
o Tau neurofibrillary tangles
o Cell death (atrophy)
o Acetylcholine deficits
,• Describe the role of exercise in preventing, delaying, and/or reversing cognitive
decline
answers: PA delays the incidence of dementia and the onset of cognitive decline
associated with aging, improves aspects of cognitive function or reduces symptoms
of dementia
o What type of study is used to investigate the risk of developing dementia?
answers: Longitudinal Studies
o What type of study is used to investigate whether PA can improve cognitive
function or reverse decline?
answers: Intervention Studies
• How can exercise help those with Alzheimer's disease?
answers: Exercise improves body composition, glucose tolerance, insulin
sensitivity, blood pressure, blood lipid levels, less inflammation/oxidative stress
o Increased neuroplasticity is one mechanism explaining the relationship between
exercise and improved cognitive function. What is neuroplasticity, neurogenesis,
and synaptic plasticity?
answers: o Neuroplasticity: the brain's ability to adapt to a changing environment
and remodel itself throughout the lifespan
o Neurogenesis: birth of new neurons in the adult hippocampus
o Synaptic plasticity: exercise can make existing synapses stronger and help build
more synapses
, • What is the general relationship between physical activity and academic
performance?
answers: o It's evident, but research designs are often weak and effects are small to
moderate
• What components of executive function (3 discussed in class) are most
commonly studied in children? Be able to give me an example of each.
answers: o Flexibility: being able to read the note your best friend passes to you
and then answer the teacher's question about the capital of Michigan when she calls
on you
o Working memory: Listening to the teacher read a passage from Huckleberry Finn
and then being able to paraphrase the major points
o Inhibition: being able to ignore the guy mowing the lawn outside the window
while listening to the teacher's lesson on multiplying fractions
• What are potential mechanisms explaining how exercise improves cognitive
function in children?
answers: o Physio: increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor, catecholamine
levels
o Psych: improved self-esteem, self-efficacy
o Other: reduced obesity, improved sleep, reduced fatigue
• What are the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for substance-use disorder? You do not
need to memorize all 11 symptoms, but be familiar with them.
answers: o Recurrent substance use resulting in failure
