AP Psychology : Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Biology

Which of the following terms is best defined as the part of the brain that is in charge of processing auditory information?

Possible Answers:

Temporal lobes

Occipital lobe

Hippocampus

Parietal lobe

Frontal lobe

Correct answer:

Temporal lobes

Explanation:

The temporal lobes are located on the sides of the brain, close to where the ears are. They are in charge of processing auditory information.

Example Question #102 : Biology

Which of the following terms is best defined as the part of the brain that is in charge of movement, balance, and coordination?

Possible Answers:

Amygdala

Cerebellum

Brain stem

Hippocampus

Frontal lobe

Correct answer:

Cerebellum

Explanation:

The cerebellum is important in helping us maintain balance and coordination. It is also in charge of precise timing and other motion related activities. It is located in the back of the brain, under the occipital lobe, and near the brain stem.

Example Question #103 : Biology

Which of the following terms is best defined as the part of the brain that controls essential bodily functions such as heart rate and breathing?

Possible Answers:

Frontal lobe

Brain stem

Hippocampus

Cerebellum

Amygdala

Correct answer:

Brain stem

Explanation:

The brain stem is one of the first parts of the brain to be formed during fetal development. It controls essential bodily functions such as heart rate, body temperature, and breathing. It is located at the base of the brain, near the cerebellum, and connects to the spine through a bundle of nerves.

Example Question #45 : Brain And Nervous System

Which of the following parts of a neuron are responsible for helping speed up neural impulses?

Possible Answers:

Myelin sheath 

Axon

Terminal Buttons

None of these

Dendrites

Correct answer:

Myelin sheath 

Explanation:

The myelin sheath is the fatty layer that covers the axon. It helps to speed up nerve impulses and keeps them channeled on the neuron.

Example Question #231 : Biology And Sensation

Which individual is commonly credited with the discovery of the brain structure called the pons?

Possible Answers:

Andreas Vesalius

Costanzo Varolio

Gabriele Falloppio

Giulio Aranzio

Correct answer:

Costanzo Varolio

Explanation:

Varolio, a 16th-century anatomist and lecturer, was likely the first anatomist to study the brain from the bottom upwards, instead of the traditional top-down approach used by anatomists until that time. He also correctly theorized the pons as being vital in communication between the brain and spinal cord.

Example Question #232 : Biology And Sensation

A patient arrives in the hospital after a sudden injury to the head. The patient is lucid enough to talk, has a fast, thready pulse, is hyperventilating without fear response, and has abnormally low blood pressure and body temperature. Which part of the brain most likely took damage from the injury?

Possible Answers:

Brainstem

Forebrain

Midbrain

Hindbrain

Correct answer:

Hindbrain

Explanation:

The hindbrain is the division of the brain containing the pons, medulla, and cerebellum, which are together largely responsible for autonomous processes of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature.

Example Question #104 : Biology

Which of the following is closest to how many times faster a myelinated nerve sheath can transmit a neural impulse compared to an unmyelinated sheath?

Possible Answers:

There is no difference in speed.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Myelination works by providing a faster medium (fatty material) for the transmission of electrical impulses than could otherwise be achieved. While not present on all nerve fibers, myelinated nerves are found throughout the body.

Example Question #234 : Biology And Sensation

Too much __________ in the body can cause muscle spasms and tremors, while too little can cause paralysis and torpor.

Possible Answers:

dopamine

GABA

epinephrine

acetylcholine

Correct answer:

dopamine

Explanation:

The presence of dopamine in excess causes the classic symptoms of agitation, which can include inattention, aggressiveness, inability to focus the eyes, and in severe cases muscle tremors or spasms. In severe cases of dopamine limitation, paralysis, torporous aspect and even death can occur.

Example Question #231 : Biology And Sensation

When an impulse reaches the end of one neuron and needs to cross the synaptic gap, neurotransmitters are released by the ____________.

Possible Answers:

Synaptic vesicles

Myelin sheath

Dendrites

Synaptic branch

Correct answer:

Synaptic vesicles

Explanation:

The vesicles, located in the synaptic knob, also help with the resorption of used neurotransmitters during the reuptake phase.

Example Question #101 : Biology

Areas of the cerebral cortex which are associated neither with primary motor movements nor with sensory input or processing are referred to as _____________.

Possible Answers:

coordination areas

sympathetic areas

limbic areas

association areas

Correct answer:

association areas

Explanation:

Association areas, such as Broca's area, are involved in "higher" brain processes such as pattern recognition, speaking, thinking and memory.

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