AP Psychology : Biology and Sensation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #94 : Biology

Which area in the frontal lobe directs the muscle movement patterns that produce speech sounds?

Possible Answers:

Speech area

Broca's area

Motor cortex

Frontal association area

Correct answer:

Broca's area

Explanation:

Broca's area is the area in the frontal lobe that directs the muscle movement patterns responsible for producing speech sounds. When a person suffers from Broca's aphasia they often know what they want to say but physically can not say it. 

Example Question #41 : Brain And Nervous System

What part of the brainstem is responsible for coordinating movement?

Possible Answers:

Medulla

Reticular formation 

Pons

Hypothalamus 

Thalamus

Correct answer:

Pons

Explanation:

The pons sits above the medulla, making up one of the two structures of the brainstem. It's responsible for aiding in coordinated movement. If a cat has had its reticular formation severed, which connects the pons to the thalamus, it will still carry out the function of the medulla and pons (heart rate and breathing and run, climb and groom) but because it lacks the connection to the higher parts of the brain, it will perform its movements without a purpose. For instance, it will run and climb without the intention of finding food.

Example Question #42 : Brain And Nervous System

What is the purpose of association areas?

Possible Answers:

They are involved in maintaining the body's homeostasis

They are involved solely in sensory stimuli reception

They are involved in depth perception

They are involved in maintaining the integrity of interneurons 

They are involved in the higher mental processes of the brain

Correct answer:

They are involved in the higher mental processes of the brain

Explanation:

Association areas are located in the cerebral cortex. They act in learning, speech, memory, etc. These functions are considered to be higher mental functions. 

These are not involved in motor or sensory functions.

Example Question #91 : Biology

What part of the brainstem is responsible for controlling breathing?

Possible Answers:

Cerebellum

Hypothalamus

Thalamus

Medulla 

Pons

Correct answer:

Medulla 

Explanation:

The brainstem is made up of the medulla and pons. Together, these make up the oldest (evolutionarily speaking) region of the brain. In cases of patients with brain damage, there have been observations made that no higher brain power is required to control heart rate and breathing because it's all managed by the medulla. The thalamus is not technically part of the brainstem, although it does attach to it via the reticular formation.

Example Question #92 : Biology

Which of the following is not an old structure of the brain?

Possible Answers:

Medulla

Pons

Amygdala 

Broca's area

Cerebellum

Correct answer:

Broca's area

Explanation:

The medulla and pons make up the brainstem. As does the cerebellum, also known as "the little brain. The cerebellum is responsible for nonverbal learning, memory and balance. The amygdala is considered to be a primitive structure in the brain, tied to fear response. All these structures can be observed in primitive animals. 

Broca's area, however, is tied to language expression - a more recently evolved capability. The "old" structures of the brain are old in terms of their evolutionary development.

Example Question #93 : Biology

Which of the following is not true of the hypothalamus?

Possible Answers:

It is responsible for stimulating the master gland.

It is a structure that lies below the thalamus.

It monitors the body as to maintain homeostasis.

It is responsible for evoking fear and aggression.

It contains "reward centers."

Correct answer:

It is responsible for evoking fear and aggression.

Explanation:

The amygdala is responsible for evoking fear and aggression.

The "reward centers" in the brain were observed in the 1954 study by James Olds and Peter Milner where they mistakenly placed an electrode in a rat's hypothalamus instead of the intended reticular formation. They observed the rat continuously visiting the location where it had previously received the electrode stimulation. The rat continued to return to that location for what appeared to be some perceived reward.

The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining body temperature, regulating thirst and hunger, etc. In a sense, it's like maintaining a body's equilibrium - that is, homeostasis. In doing so, this may require the activation of the pituitary (master) gland, which will in turn release hormones.

Example Question #41 : Brain And Nervous System

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

Possible Answers:

Amygdala

Occipital lobe

Temporal lobe

Hippocampus

Parietal lobe

Correct answer:

Occipital lobe

Explanation:

The occipital lobe is located far in the back of the brain. It is in charge of processing visual signals.

Example Question #41 : Brain And Nervous System

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

Possible Answers:

Hippocampus

Occipital lobe

Frontal lobe

Parietal lobe

Temporal lobes

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 #42 : Brain And Nervous System

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:

Cerebellum

Brain stem

Amygdala

Frontal lobe

Hippocampus

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 #43 : Brain And Nervous System

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:

Amygdala

Hippocampus

Frontal lobe

Brain stem

Cerebellum

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.

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