AP Psychology : Biology and Sensation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Sensation And Perception

What is the name for the least amount of energy required for a sensation to take place?

Possible Answers:

The minimum threshold

Transduction

The absolute threshold

The just noticeable difference

Correct answer:

The absolute threshold

Explanation:

The minimum amount of energy for a stimulus to be registered as a sensation is known as the absolute threshold. Any stimulus that occurs too weakly to surpass this threshold will not result in a sensation, and will thus be undetected. 

The just noticeable difference refers to the minimum amount of change in a stimulus necessary for a difference in its intensity to be recognized. 

Transduction is the conversion of energy from one form into another, for example, from light energy into electrical energy during vision.

The minimum threshold may sound like the correct answer, but it is in fact not the correct term. The absolute threshold is the appropriate label for the phenomenon.

Example Question #61 : Sensation And Perception

Which of the following describes examples of the electromagnetic spectrum?

Possible Answers:

None of these are examples of the electromagnetic spectrum

Nerve impulses and action potentials

Infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light

Electrical currents produced by rotating magnets within simple motors

Correct answer:

Infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light

Explanation:

The electromagnetic spectrum is comprised of energies of many different wavelengths and frequencies, among which are gamma, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves. The human eye is capable of interpreting visual information carried in the frequency range of visible light. Some other species may perceive in ultraviolet or infrared frequencies as well.

None of the other options listed provide examples of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Example Question #63 : Sensation And Perception

What stimuli are perceived in audition?

Possible Answers:

Tactile pressure

Audio waves

Wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum

Sound waves

Correct answer:

Sound waves

Explanation:

Audition is the sense of hearing. When we hear a sound, we are in fact detecting vibrations in the environment caused by sound pressure waves. The frequencies of these vibrations are converted into electrical information within the cochlea of the inner ear, and give rise to the sensation of sound by the brain. 

Tactile pressure and other tactile stimuli would be detected by skin receptors throughout the body.

The eyes detect visible light, a component of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Audio waves is not the correct term for sound waves.

Example Question #64 : Sensation And Perception

Which of the following correctly describes the components of the ear, from outer to inner?

Possible Answers:

Tympanic membrane, cochlea, auditory ossicles

Tympanic membrane, auditory ossicles, cochlea

Auditory ossicles, tympanic membrane, cochlea

Cochlea, auditory ossicles, tympanic membrane

Correct answer:

Tympanic membrane, auditory ossicles, cochlea

Explanation:

The tympanic membrane is the formal name of the eardrum. Incoming sound waves are channeled into the ear canal and come into contact with this membrane, causing it to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted to the bones of the middle ear, called the auditory ossicles. These bones are the malleus, incum, and stapes, also known as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. These bones transmit the vibrations through to the oval window of the cochlea, which houses the receptor cells that will transduce the physical energy into electrical energy within the nervous system. Thus, the correct order is, tympanic membrane, auditory ossicles, cochlea.

Example Question #61 : Biology And Sensation

Where is visual acuity best in the eye?

Possible Answers:

The blind spot

The periphery of the retina

Visual acuity is even across the retina

The fovea

Correct answer:

The fovea

Explanation:

Visual acuity is best for light falling upon the fovea. The fovea is an area of the retina corresponding to the center of our visual field. In other words, any object we focus our eyes on will be reflecting light that is striking our fovea. This region contains the highest concentration of cones, which are more sensitive than rods, and produce more detailed visual information.

Visual acuity diminishes towards the periphery of the retina and visual field, as more rods and fewer cones are responsible for processing light information in these regions.

The blind spot receives no visual information whatsoever, as no photoreceptors are present here. Instead, the optic nerve interrupts the retina and exits the back of the eye in this location.

Example Question #62 : Biology And Sensation

What is a function of the vestibular sense?

Possible Answers:

To prevent us from overeating

To prevent us from staring directly at the sun, or other bright objects

To keep us from falling over

To help us avoid pain

Correct answer:

To keep us from falling over

Explanation:

The vestibular sense is that which controls our sense of balance and orientation. It is produced as a result of movement sensitive receptor cells in fluid filled chambers within the inner ear called the semi-circular canals. Changes in the body's orientation in space cause this fluid to move, as it seeks to find its level under the affect of gravity. This movement is detected by the hair-like receptor cells within the semi-circular canals, which send signals to the brain. 

As a result of this sense, we are aware of our balance, and are able to stand upright and move without falling over.

Pain receptors in the skin help keep us away from injurious stimuli, and the olfactory sense helps us to avoid noxious stimuli. 

Hormones and physical factors help prevent us from overeating, and the pupil and pain receptors in the eye help keep us from staring directly into the sun- that and hopefully common sense!

Example Question #67 : Sensation And Perception

By what is kinesthetic sensation generated?

Possible Answers:

From movements of fluid within the semicircular canals of the inner ears

From hair-like receptor cells responding to motion

From receptors embedded throughout the skin

Receptors within the joints and muscles that transmit information regarding movement

Correct answer:

Receptors within the joints and muscles that transmit information regarding movement

Explanation:

The kinesthetic sense is the awareness of the body's position in space, and of the movements of its various limbs. This sense is generated by receptors within muscles and joints that respond to the body's motion. This sense explains how you can close your eyes, but still know how your body is positioned, and accurately perform motions without needing sight of your limbs. Individuals suffering from disruption of their kinesthetic sense must use their vision to guide body movements, for instance by watching their feet and legs as they walk, or following a hand or arm as it moves towards an object.

The semicircular canals of the inner ear, and the hair-like receptors within them, contribute to the vestibular sense. This is the body's sense of balance and orientation, and it is generated by responses to movements in the fluid within the semicircular canals. This is distinct from the kinesthetic sense, but both contribute to somatosensation. 

Skin receptors responding to pain, pressure, vibration, and temperature also contribute to somatosensation. These do not contribute to the kinesthetic sense however.

Example Question #67 : Sensation And Perception

Where does transduction occur in audition?

Possible Answers:

The oval window

The tympanic membrane

The auditory ossicles

The stapes

Correct answer:

The auditory ossicles

Explanation:

Transduction is the conversion of one form of energy to another. In audition, the sense of hearing, transduction involves the conversion of physical energy carried in sound waves and vibrations into electrical energy within the nervous system. This occurs in the cochlea. Within the cochlea are hair-like receptors that respond to movements in the fluid that surrounds them, which in turn moves as a result of the vibrations which are transmitted to it by the auditory ossicles and the eardrum.

The tympanic membrane is the eardrum. This membrane transmits vibrations further into the ear, by moving the auditory ossicles.

The auditory ossicles are the bones within the ear. These sensitive bones transmit vibrations to the cochlea from the eardrum.

The stapes is the third of the auditory ossicles. It causes the oval window of the cochlea to vibrate, thereby transmitting vibrations to the fluid filled chamber within.

The pinna is the outside of the ear (the part we see sticking out the sides of our heads and that we think of when we hear the word 'ear'). It helps to capture sound and channel it inward to the eardrum, rather like a satellite dish.

Example Question #61 : Sensation And Perception

Which of the following best describes the current consensus on subliminal advertising?

Possible Answers:

It has little to no effect on behavior

It influences complex behavior without its target's awareness

It is only effective when displayed in a movie theater or other large screen venues

It is highly effective, and needs to be regulated by law

Correct answer:

It has little to no effect on behavior

Explanation:

Subliminal messaging can produce some minor changes in behavior in laboratory settings; however, research has indicated that these effects have been very minor. The general consensus is that it is unable to influence complex human behaviors. As a result, subliminal advertising is no longer commonly explored by marketers, nor feared by the public.

It has been observed that regardless of the environment subliminal messaging is unable to manipulate complex behaviors without the subject's awareness; therefore, it does not require regulation by law.

Example Question #69 : Sensation And Perception

Which of the following would constitute the greatest loss to a food critic or wine taster?

Possible Answers:

Loss of the olfactory sense

Astigmatism

Damage to the auditory ossicles

Cortical blindness

Correct answer:

Loss of the olfactory sense

Explanation:

Olfactory loss constitutes a loss of the sense of smell. Aside from detecting airborne odors, this sense is also responsible for much of our ability to experience the flavors of foods and beverages. As a result, the loss of this sense would be a terrible setback to someone who's profession relied upon a sensitive palate, such as a food critic or wine taster.

Cortical blindness is a form of blindness, and would not be a severe hindrance to such an individual. Likewise, an astigmatism is a defect in vision caused by an imperfection in the shape of the eye, and neither this nor a loss in hearing ability brought about by damage to the auditory ossicles—the inner ear bones—would result in as significant a setback to a food critic or wine taster.

 

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