Adolescent Brain Development and Behavior

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Questions and Answers

What role does the prefrontal cortex (PFC) play in adolescent behavior?

Facilitates impulse control (correct)

Enhances risk-taking behavior

Regulates emotions

Drives sensation-seeking activities

Which brain structure develops early and influences sensation-seeking behaviors?

Amygdala (correct)

Corpus callosum

Prefrontal cortex

Hippocampus

How does stress affect decision-making in adolescents?

Enhances long-term planning

Strengthens impulse control

Increases cortisol sensitivity (correct)

Improves clarity of thought

Which substance is known to specifically target the prefrontal cortex and impair decision-making?

Alcohol Signup and view all the answers

What effect does cannabis have on the adolescent brain?

Disrupts neural plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What consequence does nicotine use have on adolescent brain development?

Inhibits normal synaptic pruning Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary risk associated with substance use during adolescence?

Increased long-term dependency Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a behavioral response due to heightened amygdala activity?

Stronger emotional reactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the male reproductive system?

Production and delivery of sperm Signup and view all the answers

Where are the Leydig cells located and what is their function?

In the seminiferous tubules, they produce testosterone Signup and view all the answers

What structure is responsible for transporting sperm from the epididymis?

Ductus (Vas) deferens Signup and view all the answers

Which gland produces a mucus-like secretion that lubricates the urethra?

Bulbourethral gland Signup and view all the answers

What component of the testis is essential for sperm production?

Seminiferous tubules Signup and view all the answers

What do the seminal vesicles primarily secrete to support sperm function?

Fructose-rich fluid Signup and view all the answers

How does the pampiniform plexus contribute to the male reproductive system?

Regulates temperature for spermatogenesis Signup and view all the answers

Which erectile body surrounds the urethra in the penis?

Corpus spongiosum Signup and view all the answers

What does the T in the TNM staging system represent?

Size and extent of the primary tumor Signup and view all the answers

Which scoring system evaluates a patient's ability to perform daily activities?

Karnofsky Performance Status Signup and view all the answers

What type of surgery aims to reduce tumor burden to relieve symptoms?

Palliative surgery Signup and view all the answers

Which type of chemotherapy is administered before surgery to shrink tumors?

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of external beam radiation therapy?

Eradicate localized disease Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of checkpoint inhibitors in immunotherapy?

Prevent immune evasion Signup and view all the answers

Which type of targeted therapy specifically targets HER2 receptors?

Trastuzumab Signup and view all the answers

What does Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score reflect?

Level of patient functioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of tumor suppressor genes in cancer biology?

Prevent uncontrolled growth Signup and view all the answers

Which process allows tumor cells to avoid apoptosis?

Upregulation of pro-survival networks Signup and view all the answers

What effect does activation of telomerase have on cancer cells?

Prevents telomere shortening Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the Warburg Effect in cancer cells?

Increased glycolysis under normal oxygen levels Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to tumor-promoting inflammation?

Cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) Signup and view all the answers

What defines the concept of clonal evolution in cancer?

Successive clonal expansions of mutated cells Signup and view all the answers

What role does epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) play in cancer?

Increases invasiveness and mobility Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an oncogene?

MYC Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Low-Grade Intraepithelial Lesion (LSIL)?

Reversible condition Signup and view all the answers

Which test is specifically a marker for High-Grade Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL)?

p16 IHC Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Triple-Negative breast cancer?

Poor prognosis with limited treatment options Signup and view all the answers

What causes MMR deficiency in relation to cancer?

Mutations in specific genes Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using biomarkers like MSI in cancer prognosis?

It predicts better clinical outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Which molecular subtype of breast cancer is known as the most common and least aggressive?

Luminal A Signup and view all the answers

What does Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) primarily enable?

Multiplex testing of numerous genes Signup and view all the answers

Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) is used for monitoring what aspect of cancer treatment?

Residual disease post-treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of platinum salts in cancer treatment?

They form DNA crosslinks, leading to strand breakage. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drug is Irinotecan classified as?

Topoisomerase I inhibitor Signup and view all the answers

How do taxanes function in cancer therapy?

They stabilize microtubules to prevent spindle disassembly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Trastuzumab in cancer treatment?

It is a monoclonal antibody that blocks HER2 signaling. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs targets EGFR mutations?

Erlotinib Signup and view all the answers

What effect do PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have in cancer treatment?

They enhance immune response against tumor cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which inhibitor is specifically used to target the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway?

Trametinib Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of CDK4/6 inhibitors in the cell cycle?

They halt G1/S phase transition. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Male Reproductive System Overview

The male reproductive system is responsible for sperm production, storage, and delivery, as well as the secretion of male sex hormones (primarily testosterone).
The testes are located in the scrotum outside the abdominal cavity to maintain optimal temperature for spermatogenesis.
The testes are encased in the tunica vaginalis and supported by the scrotal ligament.
The testes are divided into lobules containing seminiferous tubules where sperm production occurs.
Rete testis and mediastinum are key structures for sperm transport.
Seminiferous tubules are the site of spermatogenesis.
Interstitial (Leydig) cells produce testosterone.
Sertoli cells nourish and support developing sperm.
Testicular arteries and veins form the pampiniform plexus which regulates temperature.
The epididymis is a long coiled duct where sperm mature and gain motility.
The ductus (vas) deferens transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts.
The ejaculatory duct merges the vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct, then empties into the urethra.
The prostate produces prostatic fluid, contributing to semen volume and enhancing sperm motility.
Seminal vesicles secrete fructose-rich fluid for sperm energy.
Bulbourethral glands produce mucus to lubricate the urethra and neutralize acidity.
The penis is comprised of erectile bodies (corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum).
The scrotum houses the testes and regulates temperature.

Child Development

Child development encompasses physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes from birth to adolescence.
These changes are influenced by genetic, environmental, and cultural factors.
Developmental milestones like rolling over, sitting, walking, and grasping are assessed.
Cognitive development involves thinking, problem-solving, and language acquisition.
Social-emotional development involves forming relationships, emotional regulation, and social play.
Key domains include physical development (growth in height, weight, motor skills), cognitive development (thinking, problem-solving, language), and social-emotional development (emotions, attachments, social play).
The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III) are a standardized tool used to assess developmental progress in children aged 1 to 42 months.

Brain in Puberty

Adolescence is the transitional phase of development between childhood and adulthood involving biological, psychological, and social changes influenced primarily by hormonal surges and brain maturation.
Key physical characteristics include puberty onset (secondary sexual characteristics, HPG axis activation, accelerated growth),
Key cognitive characteristics include a shift from concrete to abstract thinking, the development of critical reasoning and problem-solving skills, enhanced executive functions (planning, emotional regulation), increased risk-taking behaviours and novelty-seeking, and heightened peer influence, and sensitivity to social rewards.
The environmental aspects of adolescence include adolescents redefining relationships with parents, transitioning to independence and greater exposure to external influences (e.g., media, social groups).
There are stages of adolescence: Early (10-14 yrs) dominated by physical changes and emotional sensitivity, Middle (15-17 yrs) focused on social interactions and identity formation, and Late (18-21+ yrs) with prefrontal cortex maturation leading to improved decision-making and impulse control.
Brain development includes grey matter changes (synaptic pruning to prefrontal cortex, allowing neural network specialization) and white matter changes (myelination for improved signal transmission and efficiency in areas like corpus callosum).

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites transmitted through sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex).
STIs can be transmitted vertically (between mother and child) during pregnancy or delivery.
Common bacterial STIs include chlamydia (caused by Chlamydia trachomatis), gonorrhea (caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae), and syphilis (caused by Treponema pallidum).
Common viral STIs include human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B, and herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and treatment vary by STI type.
Treatment of bacterial STIs generally involves antibiotics.
Prevention methods include safe sex practices (e.g., consistent condom use), vaccination (HPV and HBV) and health education campaigns.

Cancer: An Overview

Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth, arising from genetic mutations in normal cells.
Cancer is classified into benign (non-invasive, localized) and malignant (invasive, metastasizing) tumors.
Cancer is a major global health problem, being a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
Cancer progression involves multiple stages (tumorigenesis) driven by initiating factors (endogenous and exogenous mutagens), including: radiation, chemical mutagens, and biological agents (e.g., viruses).
Hallmarks of cancer include sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, activating invasion & metastasis.
Emerging hallmarks include genome instability, deregulating cellular metabolism, tumor-promoting inflammation, and avoiding immune destruction.

Inheritable Tumors & Ethical Aspects

Inheritable tumors occur due to genetic mutations passed through families, leading to increased susceptibility to cancer.
Key syndromes include Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC), Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), and Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS).
Key genes associated with inheritable cancers include BRCA1, BRCA2, APC, TP53.
Genetic counseling involves providing information about inheritability, risks, management options, and psychological support to families to help in decision making regarding genetic testing.

Neoplasia & Molecular Pathology

Neoplasia is a disorder of cell growth triggered by mutations leading to abnormal tissue growth (tumors).
Tumors consist of neoplastic cells (tumor parenchyma) and reactive stroma (surrounding connective tissue, blood vessels, immune cells).
Tumors are classified by origin (ectoderm/endoderm, mesoderm), behaviour (benign, malignant) presence or not of metastasis and mixed types.
Key features of malignancy include invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis.
Molecular pathology techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), FISH, PCR, and NGS are used to identify or classify tumors, detect mutations and identify prognosis and targets.
Key cancer hallmarks include sustaining proliferative signalling, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, activating invasion and metastasis.

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Description

Explore the critical role of the prefrontal cortex and other brain structures in adolescent behavior. This quiz delves into how stress and substance use influence decision-making and overall brain development during adolescence.