Suppose You Learn That Two Children, a 10-Year-Old Boy and a 10-Year-Old

question 11

Multiple Choice

Suppose you learn that two children, a 10-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl, have brains of quite different sizes, with the boy's brain being about 40% larger than the girl's brain. Which of the following conclusions would be the best to draw from this data?

• A) The girl most likely has something wrong with her brain, because it should be at least 10% larger than the boy's brain.
• B) The girl's brain most likely has something wrong with it, because it should be very close to the same size as the boy's brain at this age.
• C) The girl most likely was malnourished in early childhood, giving rise to a smaller-than-average brain.
• D) There is no reason for concern, since children's brain sizes can vary by as much as 50% without any appreciable difference in cognitive skills.

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Definitions:

Lactic Acid

A metabolic byproduct produced by the body during anaerobic respiration, contributing to muscle fatigue and soreness post-exercise.

Distal Pulse

A pulse taken far from the trunk of the body, such as at the wrist or foot, indicating the flow of blood to these areas.

Venipuncture

A medical procedure that involves puncturing a vein with a needle to draw blood or to give medications.

Arterial Blood Gas

A test measuring the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity (pH) in arterial blood, used to assess lung function and gas exchange.