Identify the parts of the ear labelled X and Y.

X:

Y:

Describe the use of cochlear implants in deaf patients. 

Identify the area of the brain which is labelled with the white arrow in the fMRI.

Compare the general patterns of activation in the brain shown when all of the individuals in the study processed language.

Suggest one reason for two different language groups being used in the study.

Outline how fMRI is used in brain studies.

Suggest what might result if a deaf individual who uses sign language has a lesion in the Broca’s area of the brain.

X: semicircular canals ✔

Y: eardrum/tympanic membrane ✔

a. sound picked up by microphone relayed electronically to speech processor ✔

b. speech processor filters background noise/selects only speech frequencies ✔

c. «radio» signal from transmitter to receiver/stimulator which converts it to electric signal ✔

d. «electrical impulses» sent to electrode «array» in cochlea
OR
cochlear implant bypasses the hair cells in the cochlea ✔

e. electrode/electrical signal stimulates auditory nerve «fibers in cochlea» ✔

f. signals «generated by implant» sent to brain «which recognizes signals as sound» ✔

OWTTE

cerebrum/cerebral hemisphere ✔

a. all «deaf and hearing» people show common pattern of brain activation/engage similar tissues ✔

b. all show two distinct areas, one in frontal/anterior region and another in back/posterior region ✔

a. to see whether results are valid/held across different cultural/linguistic groups ✔

b. to see whether results are specific to only one language ✔

a. active parts of brain receive increased blood flow ✔

b. harmless dye injected to make blood flow visible ✔

c. brain activity for specific tasks can be observed «in real time» ✔

they might make mistakes in signing/naming/repetition «which is what they use to “speak”» ✔

Generally correct answers although some inadvertedly inverted X and Y.

Most had a general idea of how cochlear implants work, but a large number could either not use the correct terminology (provided in the diagram), nor distinguish between sound waves, electrical impulses, nerve impulses and/or structure their answer in a logical or chronological order.

Most did generally well in the different subparts of this question.

Most did generally well in the different subparts of this question, but many stated differences when a comparison requires only similarities.

Most did generally well in the different subparts of this question.

The use of fMRI was well outlined.

Also, many, although they knew that Broca's area controls production of language, ignored the fact that sign language was specified in the question and focused on verbal language.