Configuration of Taxonomy Module

Hi,

After having set up several subcategories, in the "Browse by Category" is it possible to configure the categories and category permissions to browse just the main category to wit:

Main category "Cultural"
sub-category "Cultural - Art"
3 more sub-cats...

Is there some combination of configurations whereby when using the "Browse by Category" the user can select just the Main Category "Culture" of the drop down menu eventhough the content was originally categorized as "Culture - Art"? Under scope of search I've tried "any terms" as opposed to all. I've selected "Multiple select" and "Related Terms". One more question...how do the synomyms listed in the creation of the category interact with the search...or how can those be incorporated into the search? Perhaps you could point me to some existing posts that are on point...(my search produces over 50 hits) along with documentation for this module, which by the way is brilliant...enhances the utility of the sight dramatically. Keep up the great work.

Thanks very much in advance...

Mick mak@whatcomindymedia.org