AP Psychology : Biology and Sensation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

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. 

Example Question #15 : Neurons And Action Potentials

Which of the following describes one function of an interneuron? 

Possible Answers:

It connects sensory neurons and motor neurons

It conveys information from the outside world to the brain

It transmits information across the synapse

It insulates axons

It helps produce movement

Correct answer:

It connects sensory neurons and motor neurons

Explanation:

Interneurons connect sensory neurons to motor neurons. 

It is motor neurons that help produce movement, sensory neurons that convey information from the outside world to the brain, myelin sheaths that insulate axons, and neurotransmitters that transmit information across the synapse. 

Example Question #1312 : Ap Psychology

What is the name of the time after a neuron fires?

Possible Answers:

Refractory period

Synapse

Resting potential

Action potential

Correct answer:

Refractory period

Explanation:

The time frame when a neuron cannot fire because it has just fired is called the refractory period. 

Example Question #16 : Neurons And Action Potentials

What causes the synaptic vesicle to move towards and fuse with the cell membrane allowing for release of neurotransmitter?

Possible Answers:

Resting potential

Refractory period

Action potential

Nodes of Ranvier

Correct answer:

Action potential

Explanation:

Action potentials travel down the axon to the axon terminal. When an action potential arrives in the axon terminal it signals the synaptic vesicles to move toward the cell membrane. The synaptic vesicle fuses with the cell membrane and releases neurotransmitter. 

Example Question #906 : Individual Psychology And Behavior

When leftover neurotransmitter is present in the synapse there is a process that allows the neurotransmitter to be reabsorbed by the releasing neuron. What is this process called?

Possible Answers:

Reuptake

Release

Inhibitory

Excitatory

Correct answer:

Reuptake

Explanation:

Reuptake is a term used to describe the process of a neuron absorbing the remaining neurotransmitter back into the axon terminal for release. SSRIs used to treat depression, they function by inhibiting this reuptake process for serotonin.

Example Question #21 : Neurons And Action Potentials

Which neurotransmitter has an inhibitory effect on heart muscle fibers but has an excitatory affect on skeletal muscle fiber?

Possible Answers:

GABA

Dopamine

Serotonin

Acetylcholine

Correct answer:

Acetylcholine

Explanation:

Acetylcholine affects movement, learning, memory and REM sleep. It has an excitatory affect on skeletal muscle fiber and an inhibitory affect on heart muscle fibers. 

Example Question #141 : Biology And Sensation

If a person is having issues with mood regulation and aggression they are most likely caused by which neurotransmitter?

Possible Answers:

Serotonin

Norepinephrine

Epinephrine

Glutamate

Correct answer:

Serotonin

Explanation:

Serotonin affects mood, sleep, appetite, impulsivity and aggression. If a person's level of serotonin is too high or too low it could affect mood and aggression. Depression has been directly linked to serotonin levels, and the most regularly prescribed Anti-Depressant drugs (SSRIs) regulat the serotonin re-uptake process, thus elevating the serotonin levels in patients.

Example Question #142 : Biology And Sensation

Which of the following neurotransmitters is usually found between motor neurons and skeletal muscles?

Possible Answers:

Seratonin 

Epinepherine 

Dopamine

Acetylcholine

Norepinephrine 

Correct answer:

Acetylcholine

Explanation:

Acetylcholine is among one of the best understood neurotransmitters. Acetylcholine plays a part in learning, memory, and motor control. It's responsible for muscular contraction upon release and sensing by the cell receptors; therefore, it is usually found between motor neurons and skeletal muscles. 

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