AP Psychology : AP Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1301 : Ap Psychology

List the correct order of action potential propagation through a neuron.

Possible Answers:

Receptors, dendrites, cell body, axon, synaptic terminal

Dendrites, cell body, axon, synaptic terminal, receptors

Receptors, axon, synaptic terminal, cell body, dendrites

Dendrites, receptors, cell body, axon, synaptic terminal

Dendrites, axon, cell body, synaptic terminal, receptors 

Correct answer:

Receptors, dendrites, cell body, axon, synaptic terminal

Explanation:

After crossing the synapse, neurotransmitter molecules bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, initiating an excitatory signal (EPSP). The signal then travels through the dendrites to the cell body, where it becomes an action potential based on the degree of stimulation from other EPSP signals. After traveling through the cell body and down the axon hillock, the signal is sent out by the axon to the axon terminal, or synaptic terminal. There, synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft (the space between two neurons). Synaptic vesicles fuse with the membrane at the axon and release neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters diffuse toward the postsynaptic neuron and bind to receptors to begin the process again. Once the signal reaches an effector organ, the neurotransmitters can elicit their ultimate effect.

Example Question #1302 : Ap Psychology

What is an agonist?

Possible Answers:

A neuron that specializes in producing dopamine.

A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.

A type of neurotransmitter.

A chemical that prevents neurotransmitter activity.

A neuron that specializes in producing acetylcholine. 

Correct answer:

A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.

Explanation:

Agonists are chemicals that mimic the action of a neurotransmitter. Agonists bind to the same receptor sites as neurotransmitters, but cause their own unique biological responses. Agonists activate the receptors to which they bind.

Example Question #4 : Neurons And Action Potentials

Motor neurons which are responsible for movement are also called...

Possible Answers:

afferent neurons

efferent neurons

axons

interneurons

Correct answer:

efferent neurons

Explanation:

Efferent neurons are responsible for relaying information from the central nervous system to the muscles or glands. These signals allow for movement. 

Example Question #1303 : Ap Psychology

What is the name for the fatty covering over the axon that helps to speed up impulses?

Possible Answers:

Synapse

Soma

Dendrite

Neurons

Myelin Sheath

Correct answer:

Myelin Sheath

Explanation:

The Myelin Sheath is a fatty substance that covers the axon and helps speed up impulses. A neuron is a nerve cell. Dendrites are the message receiving part of a neuron, and axons are the message sending part. A synapse is the gap between the terminal buttons of the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron. Soma is a term synonymous with cell body.

Example Question #11 : Neurons And Action Potentials

Which is not a part of a neuron?

Possible Answers:

dendrites

cell wall

soma (cell body)

axon

Correct answer:

cell wall

Explanation:

Cell wall is a cell organelle found in plants, bacteria and archea; it is not found in neurons. The soma is the cells body of the neuron, this is where the nucleus contained but the dendrites and axon are not part of the soma. Dendrites are short branched extensions of a neuron where impulses are received in the synapses and transmitted to the soma. Axons are the long threadlike part of the neuron that conduct the impulses from the soma to other cells. 

Example Question #12 : Neurons And Action Potentials

Select the answers which correctly fill in the blanks:

The ________ are the message-receiving fibers on one end of a neuron, and the ________ are the message-sending fibers on the other end of a neuron.

Possible Answers:

dendrites; axons

axons; soma

dendrites; aminos

axons; dendrites

soma; stimuli

Correct answer:

dendrites; axons

Explanation:

The axons of one neuron release neurotransmitters which are received by the dendrites of the adjacent neuron.

Example Question #13 : Neurons And Action Potentials

Neurons fire based on which principle?

Possible Answers:

Principle of Voluntary Exchange

All-Half-or-Nothing Principle

None of the other answers

The Principles of Psychology

All-or-Nothing Principle

Correct answer:

All-or-Nothing Principle

Explanation:

Neurons fire according to the All-or-Nothing Principle, meaning that they will either fire completely or not at all. There is no in-between or half-fire.

Example Question #14 : Neurons And Action Potentials

Neurons that are responsible for relaying messages from the sensory organs to the central nervous system are ____________.

Possible Answers:

brain neurons

efferent neurons

interneurons

afferent neurons

Correct answer:

afferent neurons

Explanation:

Afferent neurons, also known as sensory neurons, are the neurons that relay information to the central nervous system from the sensory organs. Efferent neurons are the motor neurons that carry the nerve impulses away from the central nervous system to the effectors. Interneurons are the neurons that transmit impulses between other neurons. 

Example Question #902 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

Myelin sheaths insulate the axon of a neuron allowing for more efficient transmission of an action potential. These sheaths are made from ___________.

Possible Answers:

glial cells

other neurons

blood cells

skin cells

Correct answer:

glial cells

Explanation:

Glial cells are specialized cells found in the central nervous system. Myelin sheaths are made up of glial cells that insulate the axon of a neuron.  

Example Question #14 : Neurons And Action Potentials

Which part of the neuron receives information from other cells and relays it to the cell body?

Possible Answers:

Synapse

Cell branches

Nucleus

Axons

Dendrites

Correct answer:

Dendrites

Explanation:

Dendrites are the part of the cell that receive information from other neurons and relay it to the cell body. This is easy to remember if you visualize a diagram of the neuron because dendrites look like branches coming out of the cell body. 

As for the other answers, axons transmit information to other neurons (as opposed to receiving it), cell branches do not exist (that was a trick answer choice because dendrites look like branches), the synapse is the slight gap between two neurons through which electrical signals pass, and the nucleus is the part of the cell body that contains chromosomes. 

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