AP Psychology Master the
Exam – Comprehensive
Study Guide with Practice
Questions and Verified
Answers
biological psychology
biological psychology -answer study links b/w biological activity and psychological
events
Neuron -answer Nerve cell specialized for communication
Dendrite -answer Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive
information.
Axon -answer A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from
the cell body.
Myelin Sheath -answer a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some
neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one
node to the next
Action potential -answer A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an
axon.
Refractory period -answer period of inactivity after neuron has fired
Threshold -answer Membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential.
All-or-Nothing Response -answer a neuron can release all of its neurotransmitters or
none
,Synapse -answer Space between two connecting neurons through which messages are
transmitted chemically
Neurotransmitter -answer Chemical messenger specialized for communication from
neuron to neuron
Reuptake -answer A neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron
Acetylcholine (ACh) -answer Muscle contraction (PNS) Cortical arousal (CNS)
Dopamine -answer Motor function and pleasure reward
Serotonin -answer Mood and temperature regulation, happiness
Norepinephrine (NE) -answer Brain arousal and other functions like mood, hunger, and
sleep
Gamma-aminobutyricvcacidc(GABA) -answer Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
nervous system
Glutamate -answer Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system; participates
in relay of sensory information and learning
Endorphin -answer "Morphine within" - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to
pain control and to pleasure.
Agonist -answer acts like neurotransmitters and stimulates the same reaction
nervous system -answer the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network,
consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
Central nervous system (CNS) -answer A system that includes the brain and spinal
cord, controlling voluntary and involuntary acts
Peripheral Nervous System -answer nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord.
Nerves -answer bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous
system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
Sensory neurons -answer neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory
receptors to the brain and spinal cord; afferent neurons
Motor neurons -answer neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and
spinal cord to the muscles and glands; efferent neurons
,Interneuron -answer neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby
somatic nervous system -answer part of the nervous system that conveys
information between the CNS and the
body, controlling and coordinating voluntary
movement
autonomic nervous system -answer part of the nervous system controlling the
involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic
system) participates in emotion regulation
sympathetic nervous system -answer division of the autonomic nervous system
engaged during a crisis or after actions
requiring fight or flight
parasympathetic nervous system -answer division of autonomic nervous system that
controls rest and digestion
Reflex -answer an automatic motor response to a sensory
stimulus
endocrine system -answer system of glands and hormones that
controls secretion of blood-borne chemical
messengers
Hormone -answer chemical released into the bloodstream that
influences particular organs and glands
adrenal gland -answer tissue located on top of the kidneys that
releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal
Pituitary Gland -answer master gland that, under the control of the
hypothalamus, directs the other glands of
the body
Lesion -answer tissue destruction; A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused
destruction of brain tissue
Electroencephalogram (EEG) -answer recording of brain's electrical activity at the
surface of the skull
computed tomography (CT) scan -answer (CAT scan) a scanning technique using
multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images
, positron emission tomography (PET) scan -answer imaging technique that measures
consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different
regions of the brain
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -answer technique that uses magnetic fields to
indirectly visualize brain structure
functional MRI (fMRI) -answer technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain
activity using changes in blood oxygen level
Brain Stem -answer part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that
contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla
Medulla -answer part of brain stem involved in basic functions, such as heartbeat and
breathing
Thalamus -answer A forebrain structure that processes sensory information for all
senses, except smell, and relays it to the cerebral cortex.
reticular formation -answer brain area that plays a key role in arousal; nerve network
that travels through brainstem & thalamus; plays important role in controlling arousal;
"netlike"
Cerebellum -answer Balance and coordination; "little brain"; @ rear of brainstem;
nonverbal learning & memory.
Pons -answer part of the brain stem that connects the
cortex with the cerebellum. "Message station". Also sleep
Limbic System -answer emotional center of brain that also plays roles in smell,
motivation, and memory
Amyglada -answer part of limbic system that plays key roles in
fear, excitement, and arousal
Hypothalamus -answer Structure below the thalamus, responsible for maintaining a
constant internal state
Cerebrum -answer forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities
Cerebral Cortex -answer outermost part of forebrain, responsible for
analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions
Frontal Lobe -answer A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for
movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement
Exam – Comprehensive
Study Guide with Practice
Questions and Verified
Answers
biological psychology
biological psychology -answer study links b/w biological activity and psychological
events
Neuron -answer Nerve cell specialized for communication
Dendrite -answer Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive
information.
Axon -answer A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from
the cell body.
Myelin Sheath -answer a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some
neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one
node to the next
Action potential -answer A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an
axon.
Refractory period -answer period of inactivity after neuron has fired
Threshold -answer Membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential.
All-or-Nothing Response -answer a neuron can release all of its neurotransmitters or
none
,Synapse -answer Space between two connecting neurons through which messages are
transmitted chemically
Neurotransmitter -answer Chemical messenger specialized for communication from
neuron to neuron
Reuptake -answer A neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron
Acetylcholine (ACh) -answer Muscle contraction (PNS) Cortical arousal (CNS)
Dopamine -answer Motor function and pleasure reward
Serotonin -answer Mood and temperature regulation, happiness
Norepinephrine (NE) -answer Brain arousal and other functions like mood, hunger, and
sleep
Gamma-aminobutyricvcacidc(GABA) -answer Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
nervous system
Glutamate -answer Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system; participates
in relay of sensory information and learning
Endorphin -answer "Morphine within" - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to
pain control and to pleasure.
Agonist -answer acts like neurotransmitters and stimulates the same reaction
nervous system -answer the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network,
consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
Central nervous system (CNS) -answer A system that includes the brain and spinal
cord, controlling voluntary and involuntary acts
Peripheral Nervous System -answer nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord.
Nerves -answer bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous
system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
Sensory neurons -answer neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory
receptors to the brain and spinal cord; afferent neurons
Motor neurons -answer neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and
spinal cord to the muscles and glands; efferent neurons
,Interneuron -answer neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby
somatic nervous system -answer part of the nervous system that conveys
information between the CNS and the
body, controlling and coordinating voluntary
movement
autonomic nervous system -answer part of the nervous system controlling the
involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic
system) participates in emotion regulation
sympathetic nervous system -answer division of the autonomic nervous system
engaged during a crisis or after actions
requiring fight or flight
parasympathetic nervous system -answer division of autonomic nervous system that
controls rest and digestion
Reflex -answer an automatic motor response to a sensory
stimulus
endocrine system -answer system of glands and hormones that
controls secretion of blood-borne chemical
messengers
Hormone -answer chemical released into the bloodstream that
influences particular organs and glands
adrenal gland -answer tissue located on top of the kidneys that
releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal
Pituitary Gland -answer master gland that, under the control of the
hypothalamus, directs the other glands of
the body
Lesion -answer tissue destruction; A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused
destruction of brain tissue
Electroencephalogram (EEG) -answer recording of brain's electrical activity at the
surface of the skull
computed tomography (CT) scan -answer (CAT scan) a scanning technique using
multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images
, positron emission tomography (PET) scan -answer imaging technique that measures
consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different
regions of the brain
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -answer technique that uses magnetic fields to
indirectly visualize brain structure
functional MRI (fMRI) -answer technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain
activity using changes in blood oxygen level
Brain Stem -answer part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that
contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla
Medulla -answer part of brain stem involved in basic functions, such as heartbeat and
breathing
Thalamus -answer A forebrain structure that processes sensory information for all
senses, except smell, and relays it to the cerebral cortex.
reticular formation -answer brain area that plays a key role in arousal; nerve network
that travels through brainstem & thalamus; plays important role in controlling arousal;
"netlike"
Cerebellum -answer Balance and coordination; "little brain"; @ rear of brainstem;
nonverbal learning & memory.
Pons -answer part of the brain stem that connects the
cortex with the cerebellum. "Message station". Also sleep
Limbic System -answer emotional center of brain that also plays roles in smell,
motivation, and memory
Amyglada -answer part of limbic system that plays key roles in
fear, excitement, and arousal
Hypothalamus -answer Structure below the thalamus, responsible for maintaining a
constant internal state
Cerebrum -answer forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities
Cerebral Cortex -answer outermost part of forebrain, responsible for
analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions
Frontal Lobe -answer A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for
movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement
