C Survey

OMB #: 0925-0542

Expiration Date: 4-30-08

FORM C

Brain Power!

The NIDA Junior Scientists Program

Grades 2-3

Student Knowledge Questionnaire

Your Secret number: _____

Directions: Circle the best answer.

Lesson 1

1. What is the first step of scientific inquiry?

1. hypothesize

2. predict

3. observe

Lesson 2

2. If you are breathing, what part of your brain is working?

1. cerebellum

2. brain stem

3. cerebral cortex

3. If you are playing soccer, what part of your brain is working?

1. cerebellum

2. brain stem

3. limbic system

4. If you feel happy, sad, angry, or embarrassed, what part of your brain is working?

1. cerebellum

2. cerebral cortex

3. limbic system

Lesson 3

5. What is the job of a neurotransmitter?

1. protecting the brain

2. carrying messages across the synapse

3. making new neurons

6. What is a synapse?

a. a chemical that carries messages from one neuron to another

b. the space between two neurons

3. the name for the smallest part of the brain

Lesson 4

7. Which is a helpful drug, when used correctly?

a. aspirin or Tylenol

b. caffeine

3. illegal drugs

8. Which drug prevents cavities?

a. aspirin

b. immunizations

c. fluoride

9. What drugs prevent diseases (like the measles and the mumps)?

a. illegal drugs

b. immunizations

c. fluoride

Lesson 5

10. How does nicotine change neurotransmission?

a. it acts like a neurotransmitter, leading to addiction

b. it causes the brain to make more neurons

3. it makes more blood go to the brain

11. It is hard to stop smoking because nicotine:

a. prevents sicknesses like colds and allergies

b. helps a person solve problems and be creative

3. changes the way the brain works

Lesson 6

For questions 12-15, we have given you a list of things that describe a certain drug. For each list, circle which drug is described.

12. This drug

• is found as part of a certain kind of plant

• makes the heart, brain, and other parts of the body work faster

• can raise blood pressure and make a person not hungry

• is legal for adults to use, but not children

Which drug is it?

a. marijuana

b. alcohol

c. nicotine

13. This drug:

• gets carried by the blood all over the body

• has been around for thousands of years

• is legal for adults to use, but not children

• changes the parts of the brain that help people move, think, talk, and feel

Which drug is it?

a. cocaine

b. marijuana

c. alcohol

14. This drug:

• is very addictive and travels to the brain very quickly

• causes increases in blood pressure and heart rate

• fools the brain into thinking there’s too much of the neurotransmitter dopamine

• is always illegal

Which drug is it?

a. cocaine

b. alcohol

c. nicotine

15. This drug:

• is the dried leaves and flowers of a certain plant

• can make it hard for someone to remember things, think clearly and solve problems

• is always illegal

• changes the limbic system, cerebral cortex, and cerebellum

Which drug is it?

a. marijuana

b. cocaine

c. nicotine

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