AP Psychology : Biology and Sensation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #14 : Endocrine System

Which of the following neurotransmitters is responsible for helping the brain retain newly learned information?

Possible Answers:

Endorphins

Serotonin 

None of these

Dopamine

Acetylcholine

Correct answer:

Acetylcholine

Explanation:

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that helps the brain retain newly learned information. It also aids in the control of the heart’s beat rate.

Example Question #17 : Endocrine System

Which is the correct pathway that leads to the release of cortisol in the body?

Possible Answers:

Thalamus --> adrenal glands --> pituitary gland --> cortisol

Thalamus --> pituitary gland --> adrenal glands --> cortisol

Hypothalamus --> pituitary gland --> adrenal glands --> cortisol

Hypothalamus --> adrenal glands --> pituitary gland --> cortisol

Adrenal glands --> pituitary gland --> hypothalamus --> cortisol

Correct answer:

Hypothalamus --> pituitary gland --> adrenal glands --> cortisol

Explanation:

This called the HPA axis, which is a neuroendocrine system in the body that responds to stress and releases cortisol.

Example Question #21 : Endocrine System

What is considered the primary advantage of endocrine communication (using hormones) throughout the body as compared to neural communication (using neurotransmitters)?

Possible Answers:

There is a limited supply of neurotransmitters, while the supply of hormones is virtually unlimited.

The changes to the body created by neurotransmitters are harder to reverse after danger passes than the ones created by hormones.

Neurotransmitters often fail to reach their intended targets, while hormones inevitably arrive where they are intended.

The changes to the body induced by hormones last for much longer than those induced by neurotransmitters.

Correct answer:

The changes to the body induced by hormones last for much longer than those induced by neurotransmitters.

Explanation:

Hormones, or chemicals released by the endocrine system into the bloodstream for delivery throughout the body, have a much longer lifespan than neurotransmitters, and induce changes to body systems that last for hours, days, or which can even be permanent.

Example Question #1461 : Ap Psychology

Which gland in the body is responsible for influencing levels of excitability via influencing the levels of calcium and phosphates in the bloodstream?

Possible Answers:

Thyroid gland

Parathyroid gland

Pineal gland

Pituitary gland

Correct answer:

Parathyroid gland

Explanation:

The parathyroid gland can also release large doses of parathyroid hormone into the body in response to low blood calcium, a process which may influence the development of osteoporosis.

Example Question #22 : Endocrine System

Which of the following is NOT typically symptomatic of an excess of thyroxine (hyperthyroidism)?

Possible Answers:

Insomnia

Fatigue

Weight gain

Excitability

Correct answer:

Weight gain

Explanation:

Hyperthyroidism also causes a reduced attention span and can lead to long-term neurological problems, and is typically treated with medication and (when necessary) surgical intervention. Hyperthyrodism can often result in a loss of necessary body weight, as opposed to weight gain. Hypothyrodism can result in weight gain.

Example Question #1461 : Ap Psychology

One example of a hormone which operates on a positive feedback loop is _____________.

Possible Answers:

Thyroxine

Testosterone

ACTH

Oxytocin

Correct answer:

Oxytocin

Explanation:

Oxytocin works on a positive feedback loop because the actions which oxytocin causes also cause more oxytocin to be produced. This can be seen, among other examples, in the contractions of labor.

Example Question #23 : Endocrine System

Neurotransmitters and hormones both send chemical messages. Which of the following best explains the difference between neurotransmitters and hormones?

Possible Answers:

All of these

Hormones are transmitted through the bloodstream and not between neurons

Hormones are part of the endocrine system and not the nervous system

Hormones are slower than neurotransmitters

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Neurotransmitters and hormones are both types of chemical messages. Because hormones are transmitted through the circulatory system, they take much longer for the messages to be received compared to the nervous system, which sends signals extremely quickly. Different glands secrete hormones in the endocrine system like the pituitary gland and adrenal gland. 

Example Question #24 : Endocrine System

Which of the following hormones is associated with bonding, empathy, and trust?

Possible Answers:

Testosterone

Endorphins

Oxytocin

Dopamine

Correct answer:

Oxytocin

Explanation:

Oxytocin is a hormone found in mammals that is associated with bonding, empathy, and trust. Testosterone is also a hormone, but it is associated with sexual development in males. Dopamine and endorphins are both associated with positive feelings, but they are types of neurotransmitters—a different type of chemical messengers—not hormones. 

Example Question #25 : Endocrine System

A decrease in blood glucose level can be best combatted by doing which of the following? 

Possible Answers:

Excercising

Sleeping

Drinking Water

Eating a snack

Correct answer:

Eating a snack

Explanation:

"Eating a snack," specifically one filled with carbohydrates would introduce sugar into the body. After being absorbed into the bloodstream, the levels of glucose in the blood would rise to normal blood glucose levels. All other answer choices do not include a resolution to rectify low blood sugar levels. 

Example Question #1 : Genetics

Red-green color-blindness is a recessive trait carried on the X chromosome.

Which of the following is true of a woman that is red-green color blind if her husband has normal vision?

Possible Answers:

All of her male children will be red-green color blind

Some of her male children will be red-green color blind

All of her female children will be red-green color blind

Some of her female children will be red-green colorblind

None of her male children will be red-green color blind

Correct answer:

All of her male children will be red-green color blind

Explanation:

The gene for red-green color blindness is on the X chromosome, and the trait is recessive. Females carry two copies of the X chromosome, while males carry only one. The genotypes of the parents must be XrXr for the mother and XRY for the father, with Xr representing the recessive color-blind allele and XR representing the dominant healthy allele.

The possible genotypes for the children of these two individuals are: XrXR, XrY, XrXR, XrY

Any sons must receive the Y chromosome from the father and a color-blind Xr chromosome from the mother, giving them all the genotype XrY. All of the couple's sons will be color-blind.

Any daughters must receive the dominant healthy XR chromosome from the father and a color-blind Xr chromosome from the mother, giving the all the genotype XrXR. All of the couple's daughters will have normal vision.

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