AP Psychology : Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1363 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following is an incorrect connection between brain lobe and function?

Possible Answers:

Temporal Lobes - processes sound

Frontal Lobe - controls voluntary movements

All of the answers are correct

Occipital Lobe - controls emotions

Parietal Lobes - processes tactile sensations

Correct answer:

Occipital Lobe - controls emotions

Explanation:

The Occipital Lobe is responsible for processing vision. The Frontal Lobe controls emotions in its prefrontal cortex.

Example Question #15 : Brain And Nervous System

Which action would be most typically impaired when the cerebellum is depressed?

Possible Answers:

The ability to process visual information

The ability to walk in a straight line

The ability to incorporate new memories into a web of old knowledge

The ability to think abstractly

The ability to feel emotion

Correct answer:

The ability to walk in a straight line

Explanation:

When the cerebellum is depressed (such as from alcohol use), the ability most typically impaired would be the one to walk in a straight line because the cerebellum controls and coordinates muscle skills. 

The ability to think abstractly is controlled by the frontal lobe, the ability to process visual information is controlled by the occipital lobe, ability to incoporate new memories into a web of old knowledge is controlled by the hippocampus, and the ability to feel emotion is controlled by the amygdala. 

Example Question #18 : Brain And Nervous System

Which type of medical test would show the brain structures (and therefore detect any tumors that may be present) but not any brain waves or activity?

Possible Answers:

fMRI

Ultrasound

CAT or CT scan

PET

EEG

Correct answer:

CAT or CT scan

Explanation:

CAT or CT scans use the densities of tissues in order to produce a 3D image of the brain's structures (but not waves or activity), which can then be used to find tumors. 

EEGs detect electrical activity in the brain and are often used in sleep research. fMRIs detect brain activity by showing blood flow in the brain. PET scans detect brain activity by showing how much of a certain substance is being used in a certain part of the brain. Ultrasounds are not generally used for the brain and are most commonly used for fetal imaging. 

Example Question #1365 : Ap Psychology

What section of the brain is the most basic and essential?

Possible Answers:

The forebrain

The backbrain

The hindbrain

All parts of the brain are equally basic and essential

The midbrain

Correct answer:

The hindbrain

Explanation:

The hindbrain is the most basic and essential part of the brain because it controls the simplest biological functions that sustain our lives, such as respiration and heartbeat. The hindbrain is made up of structures such as the medulla and the cerebellum. The other two major areas of the brain are the midbrain, which controls simple movements in conjunction with sensory input, and the forebrain, which controls complicated emotional and cognitive functions. 

Example Question #1366 : Ap Psychology

The limbic system regulates basic emotions, drives, and memory. Which answer choice best describes the structures included in this system?

Possible Answers:

Medulla, amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus

Hippocampus, cerebellum, thalamus, tectum

Hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus

Hippocampus, amygdala, temporal lobe, hypothalamus

Hippocampus, cerebellum, thalamus, hypothalamus

Correct answer:

Hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus

Explanation:

The limbic system is commonly thought of as the hippocampus (memory), amygdala (emotion), thalamus (sensory information), and hypothalamus (basic drives, homeostasis).

Each other answer choice had one wrong structure in the list. The temporal lobe controls hearing and language, the cerebellum controls basic motor skills, the tectum controls orientation in a new environment, and the medulla helps control heart beat and respiration. 

Example Question #1367 : Ap Psychology

Which part of the hindbrain makes up  fo the brain's volume and has two hemispheres?

Possible Answers:

Cerebellum

Medulla

Spinal cord

Pons

Correct answer:

Cerebellum

Explanation:

The cerebellum resembles the much larger cerebrum. It makes up  of the brain's volume and has two hemispheres. The cerebelum's primary function is to regulate muscle control and activity.

Example Question #23 : Brain And Nervous System

Which of these is not part of the peripheral nervous system?

Possible Answers:

Somatic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system

Spinal cord

Correct answer:

Spinal cord

Explanation:

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is composed of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system is composed of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. 

Example Question #24 : Brain And Nervous System

When a person just so happens to be faced with an angry bear, which nervous system is in control?

Possible Answers:

Somatic nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system

Central nervous system

Correct answer:

Sympathetic nervous system

Explanation:

The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for action and mobilizes energy resources. This is considered the flight or fight reaction. 

Example Question #25 : Brain And Nervous System

Which structure is not part of the hindbrain?

Possible Answers:

Pons

Corpus callosum

Cerebellum

Medulla

Correct answer:

Corpus callosum

Explanation:

The hindbrain is composed of pons, medulla, spinal cord, reticular formation, and cerebellum. The corpus callosum is part of the forebrain. 

Example Question #26 : Brain And Nervous System

The reticular formation is responsible for which function?

Possible Answers:

Hunger and thirst

Control center for the heart beat

Skilled movement

Arousal system

Correct answer:

Arousal system

Explanation:

The reticular formation is responsible for the arousal system but not heartbeat, movement, hunger and thirst. 

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