AP Psychology – Biological Bases of Behavior Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What role does the hypothalamus play in the body?
• Which neurotransmitter is involved in the body’s fight or flight response and increases heart rate?
• Which part of the brainstem is primarily involved in controlling arousal?
• Which category of drugs mimics the effects of endorphins?
• What function is linked to the reticular formation?
• Identify the female hormone that also plays a role in the maturation of eggs.
• Which process is involved when initial perceptions influence later perceptions?
• Which concept emphasizes the importance of neural connections in processing information?
• Which sleep disorder often involves the acting out of dreams?
• Which part of the brain connects to the spinal cord and filters information flow?
• Who is the early psychologist credited with founding psychophysics?
• Which part of the ear is referred to as the innermost section, containing the cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibular sacs?
• What term refers to the periodic, natural loss of consciousness distinct from coma or general anesthesia?
• What is the function of an antagonist in neurotransmission?
• What is the name of the electronic transmitter surgically implanted into the cochlea of a deaf person to restore hearing?
• In what sleep stage does dreaming primarily occur?
• Which imaging technique uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of soft tissue?
• What process is responsible for the evolution of organisms that are best adapted to their environment?
• Which division of the PNS is responsible for voluntary movements by controlling skeletal muscles?
• What occurs when a person experiences negative symptoms after reducing or ceasing heavy substance use?
• What term refers to factors produced from external sources rather than internally?
• Which of the following best describes the split brain phenomenon?
• What is the term for the point in the eye where the optic nerve exits, lacking any receptor cells?
• What occurs when the brain processes sensory information to create meaningful impressions?
• What is it called when a stimulus goes unnoticed but might still influence thoughts or behavior?
• What term describes the brain's ability to change its structure and function in response to learning?
• Which brain structure is referred to as the "little brain"?
• Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with movement, attention, learning, and reward systems in the brain?
• Which part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is responsible for involuntary movements such as controlling the glands and internal organs?
• What term describes the debate about whether genetics or environment primarily influences behavior?
• Which retinal receptor is crucial for peripheral and twilight vision, especially when cones do not respond?
• Which sensory system helps us to understand our balance through the inner ear?
• Who identified the just-noticeable-difference (JND) that relates to Weber's Law?
• What is the name of the space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the receptors of the next neuron?
• What is the name of the sense that informs us about the position and movement of our body parts?
• Which neurotransmitter is linked to mood regulation and learning, besides its role as a hormone?
• Which neurotransmitter is part of the body’s response in stressful situations and is also called adrenaline?
• What theory posits that the spinal cord contains a "gate" that can block pain signals or allow them to pass to the brain?
• What is the transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus images?
• Which hormone produced by the pineal gland is associated with sleepiness?
• What are the biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes known as?
• What is the name for the process that converts outside stimuli into neural activity?
• What is the primary function of the pituitary gland in the endocrine system?
• What term refers to bizarre experiences, such as jerking or feeling of falling, during the transition to sleep?
• What is the psychological term for the sense or act of hearing?
• What structure carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain?
• What is the function of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain?
• What term describes the transmission of traits from one generation to the next?
• What stage of sleep is characterized by rapid eye movements, dreaming, and muscle paralysis?
• What type of neurons communicate within the brain and spinal cord and between sensory and motor neurons?
• Which part of the retina is the central focal point where cones are densely packed?
• What does awareness of self and surroundings refer to in psychology?
• Which condition involves stopping breathing for brief periods during sleep?
• What term refers to the study of the influence of heredity and environment on individual differences in human traits?
• Which inhibitory neurotransmitter promotes relaxation, sleep, and blocks intrusive thoughts?
• What phenomenon describes increased amounts of REM sleep following deprivation?
• In the context of psychophysics, what does the term 'threshold' refer to?
• Which sense is primarily associated with the detection of odors?
• What aspect of vision is primarily impacted in low-light conditions?
• Which sense enables our sense of balance and body movement?
• What is a change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information called?
• Which hormone is primarily responsible for male characteristics and is produced by the testes?
• What is the term for the cognitive impact of physical states on our thinking?
• What area of the parietal lobe processes sensory information such as touch?
• What is the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye that processes visual information?
• What term describes the weakest amount of stimulus that a person can detect half the time?
• Who conducted groundbreaking surgeries on animals and humans to study hemispheric specialization?
• What feature of sound is determined by the location of vibration in the cochlea?
• Which dimension of color is determined by the wavelength of light?
• Which nervous system is responsible for voluntary movements?
• Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of hallucinogens?
• What are the areas of the cerebral cortex that provide sense and meaning to information called?
• What is the study of environmental influences on gene expression without a change in DNA called?
• What is the term for the sensation of taste?
• Which area processes sensory touch information?
• What term describes the sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts during sleep?
• What does Weber's Law primarily deal with in terms of sensory perception?
• What is the function of the cerebellum in the brain?
• When thinking about the taste of food, which other sense often plays a role?
• Which term best describes a neurotransmitter that inhibits the action of another neurotransmitter?
• What does an fMRI scan primarily show?
• Which hormone is crucial for growth and development and is secreted by the pituitary gland?
• What are specialized cells that respond to specific forms of sensory stimulation called?
• What neurotransmitter is crucial for learning and memory and also facilitates muscle contraction?
• What term describes the feeling of being unable to move during the transition to sleep?
• What is defined as taking moderate amounts of a substance without interference in daily functioning?
• What is defined as the amount of energy in a light or sound wave, perceived as brightness or loudness?
• Which part of the nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord?
• What type of twins develop from separate fertilized eggs and share a prenatal environment?
• Which part of the neuron receives signals from other neurons?
• Which part of the eye controls the size of the pupil opening?
• What can be described as the combination of maximum brightness and color perception in the eye?
• What term refers to stimuli that are below the threshold of conscious perception?
• Which age range is typically associated with the study of developmental psychology?
• What are perceptions without a direct external cause called?
• What processing method is used for new information and solving difficult problems?
• What is the function of estrogen in females?
• Which neurotransmitter assists with the body's relaxation response?
• What type of retinal receptor is primarily responsible for color detection and functioning in well-lit conditions?
• What does an EEG record?
• What is the primary function of the axon in a neuron?
• What field studies the connections between cognitive processes and brain activity?
• Which processing involves handling multiple aspects of a problem at the same time?
• What term refers to overindulgence or dependence on substances, particularly drugs and alcohol?
• What is the primary effect of melatonin on the body?
• Which process allows the organization and interpretation of sensory information?
• Which brain psychological phenomenon occurs when an individual experiences sensations without an external cause?
• What is the term for traits that are passed down from parents to offspring?
• What is the transparent layer that forms the front of the eye called?
• Who are the Nobel Prize-winning researchers that discovered feature detectors in the brain?
• What is the deeper sleep stage characterized by long, slow brain waves?
• What is the term for diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation?
• What refers to the distance from the peak of one light or sound wave to the peak of the next?
• What term describes the colored portion of the eye that surrounds the pupil?
• What theory explains how our brain interprets pitch based on stimulation of different locations within the cochlea?
• What is the primary function of the limbic system?
• What is the study of skull shape and its relation to mental faculties known as?
• Which part of the eye contains the receptor rods and cones?
• What kind of waves signify a relaxed state and are prevalent during light sleep?
• What emotional function is particularly associated with the amygdala?
• Which type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to the cochlea?
• What type of neurons carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands?
• Which type of receptor cells are important for detecting fine detail?
• What is the process by which sensory receptors and the nervous system receive stimuli from the environment?
• Which of the following best describes the role of neurotransmitters?
• Which sense is involved when we perceive the flavor of food?
• What is the name of the chamber between the eardrum and cochlea that contains three miniature bones?
• What is one of the primary functions of the midbrain?
• Which neural center is essential for processing explicit memories?
• What aspect of perception involves both physical sensations and cognitive judgments?
• What is referred to as the complete set of genetic material in an organism's chromosomes?
• What is the consequence of developing substance tolerance?
• Which term describes a tone's experienced highness or lowness?
• Which brain structure is primarily responsible for abstract thinking and planning?
• What does neuroplasticity allow the brain to do?
• What mechanism is primarily responsible for the genetic variation seen in populations?
• What role does oxytocin play in human behavior?
• What type of neurons carry impulses from the sense organs to the spinal cord and brain?
• What type of processing starts with sensory receptors and builds up to brain integration?
• What is the main function of the parietal lobe?
• Which type of drugs is characterized by reducing neural activity and slowing body functions?
• Which theory of hearing suggests that different areas of the basilar membrane respond to different frequencies?
• Which brain imaging technique provides insights into both structure and function?
• Which structure is involved in emotion and the endocrine system regulation?
• Which part of the eye is responsible for providing the eye's protective outer layer?
• Which type of drugs are known to excite neural activity and speed up body functions?
• What are endorphins primarily linked to in terms of brain function?
• What is the primary role of rods in the visual system?
• What is the primary reason individuals experience withdrawal symptoms?
• What process involves constructing perceptions based on experience and expectations?
• What principle explains how one sense may influence another?
• Which sensory phenomenon emphasizes how our senses interconnect to influence our experiences?
• Which type of twins are genetically no closer than ordinary brothers and sisters?
• What term describes the condition following surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres?
• What part of the ear is a coiled, bony, fluid-filled tube that converts sound waves into nerve impulses?
• What role does dopamine play in the brain?
• Which substance acts as natural painkillers in the body and is linked to pleasure?
• What concept explains the combined experience of taste and smell impacting flavor perception?
• Which type of vision does the fovea primarily support due to its concentration of cones?
• What term describes recurring problems in falling or staying asleep?
• What type of neurotransmitter action is characterized by slowing a neuron's firing speed?
• What term describes the influence of bodily sensations on cognitive preferences?
• Freud believed that dreams are symbolic representations of what?
• What is the role of synaptic gaps in neural communication?
• Which technique measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields?
• What is the role of the pons in the brain?
• Which technique provides a visual display of brain activity through a radioactive tracer?
• What is the condition called when there is a failure to transmit neural signals from the cochlea to the brain?
• Which part of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for action in challenging or threatening situations?
• What is typically measured in psychophysics to determine human sensory capabilities?
• What kind of drugs distort perceptions and evoke sensory images without sensory input?
• What type of drug is primarily used for pain relief and has effects similar to endorphins?
• Which neurotransmitter plays a significant role in regulating mood and emotional state?
• Which type of neurons serve as connectors between other types of neurons within the spinal cord and brain?
• Which type of brain waves are associated with a state of relaxation or light sleep?
• What term describes quiet, typically dreamless sleep without rapid eye movements, divided into four stages?
• What is the primary focus of a MEG scan?
• Which brain area is involved in language comprehension and is typically located in the left temporal lobe?
• Which of the following best describes the role of genes?
• What disorder occurs when mechanisms that paralyze the body during REM sleep fail to function?
• Which component of the autonomic nervous system helps the body return to a normal resting state?
• What is the basic building block of the nervous system known as?
• Which researcher is known for their contributions to brain lateralization studies?
• Which theory suggests that color receptor cells are paired and work in opposition to each other?
• Which structure forms the lowest part of the brainstem and regulates bodily functions like heart rate?
• What is a significant feature of the prefrontal cortex?
• What do we call twins that develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two?
• What is the role of Broca's Area in the brain?
• Which type of molecule binds to a receptor site and stimulates a response in the cell?
• What does Broca's Area primarily influence in terms of language?
• What phenomenon ensures the brain prioritizes important stimuli from the environment?
• Which sense allows us to distinguish different textures and temperatures?
• Which neurotransmitter is known for regulating hunger, sleep, arousal, and mood?
• Which of the following functions is specifically associated with oxytocin?
• Which neurotransmitter is specifically known for its role in the transmission of pain messages?
• What is the term for the minimum amount of difference that can be detected between two stimuli?
• Which cerebral cortex region is primarily involved in hearing and language?
• What theory focuses on how stimuli are detected under different conditions?
• What is the most common neurotransmitter in the brain, known for its excitatory role in memory?
• What is the cerebral cortex mainly responsible for in terms of neural processing?
• What term refers to the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time?
• Which stage of sleep typically features vivid dreams?
• Who is known for formulating the theory of evolution by natural selection?
• What is the primary function of glutamate in the brain?
• What disorder is characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks?
• What principle explains the simultaneous processing of information on separate conscious and unconscious tracks?
• Which part of the limbic system is crucial for integrating emotional experiences with memory?
• Which lobe processes visual information?
• What imaging technique uses blood flow to assess brain activity during tasks?
• Which process describes variability within a population that arises from genetic differences?
• According to Sigmund Freud, what is the nature of dreams?
• Which area of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating movement?
• Which term signifies awareness of ourselves and our environment?
• Which region of the brain is significant for hearing and sight?
• What is the name of the adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters?
• What principle states that to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage?
• What is the enhanced ability to think of a stimulus due to recent exposure called?
• Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for movement and planning?
• Which physiological cycle lasts about 24 hours in all eukaryotic organisms?
• What term is used to describe nerve cells in the brain that respond to specific features of stimulus such as shape or movement?
• What is the function of the lens in the eye?
• What division of the nervous system consists of all nerves that are not part of the brain or spinal cord?
• What does a CT scan create from a series of x-ray photographs?
• What term describes the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor, such as environment, depends on another factor, such as heredity?
• Which brain waves indicate the deepest stage of sleep?
• Which field studies how physical stimuli are translated into psychological experiences?
• Which type of neurotransmission accelerates a neuron's firing speed?
• Which term describes the chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synaptic gap between neurons?
• The amygdala is primarily associated with which of the following functions?
• What term refers to the creation of new neurons in the adult brain?
• Which system is primarily involved in the "fight or flight" response?
• Which field of study focuses on the roots of behavior and mental processes through the principles of natural selection?