ap psychology unit 2 practice test

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30-11-2024

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This comprehensive practice test covers the key concepts of AP Psychology Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior. Use this to assess your understanding and identify areas needing further review before your exam. Remember, understanding the biological underpinnings of behavior is crucial for success in the course!

Section 1: Neuroscience and the Nervous System

1. What is the primary function of the myelin sheath?

(a) To speed up neural transmission (b) To slow down neural transmission (c) To generate neural impulses (d) To receive neural impulses

2. Describe the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

• Sympathetic: The "fight-or-flight" system; prepares the body for stressful situations. Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
• Parasympathetic: The "rest-and-digest" system; calms the body and conserves energy. Slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and stimulates digestion.

3. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with mood regulation and is implicated in depression?

(a) Acetylcholine (b) Dopamine (c) Serotonin (d) GABA

4. Explain the function of the following brain structures:

• Hypothalamus: Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and the endocrine system. Plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis.
• Hippocampus: Crucial for forming new long-term memories. Damage can lead to anterograde amnesia.
• Amygdala: Processes emotions, particularly fear and aggression. Plays a key role in emotional memory.
• Cerebellum: Coordinates movement, balance, and posture. Also involved in some cognitive functions.

5. What technique is used to create detailed images of brain structures?

(a) EEG (b) fMRI (c) PET scan (d) Lesion studies

6. Draw a simple diagram of a neuron, labeling the key components (dendrites, soma, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminals). (Include a visual here, perhaps a simple hand-drawn image or a link to a royalty-free image)

Section 2: Genetics and Behavior

7. What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

• Genotype: An individual's genetic makeup.
• Phenotype: An individual's observable characteristics, influenced by both genotype and environment.

8. Explain the concept of heritability. Heritability refers to the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. It's important to remember that heritability is specific to a population in a particular environment. It doesn't indicate the extent to which a trait is determined by genes in a single individual.

9. Discuss the impact of nature versus nurture on behavior. The nature versus nurture debate explores the relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) in shaping human behavior. Most psychological traits are believed to be polygenic, meaning they are influenced by multiple genes. The interaction between genes and environment is complex and bidirectional, with genes influencing responses to the environment and the environment influencing gene expression (epigenetics).

10. What is a twin study, and how is it used to investigate the heritability of traits? Twin studies compare the concordance rates (the probability that both twins will have a trait) of monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins. Higher concordance rates in identical twins suggest a stronger genetic influence.

Section 3: Endocrine System and Hormones

11. Name three major endocrine glands and their primary hormones.

• Pituitary Gland: Master gland; secretes various hormones, including growth hormone and hormones that regulate other glands.
• Thyroid Gland: Produces thyroxine, which regulates metabolism.
• Adrenal Glands: Produce adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), involved in the stress response.

12. How do hormones differ from neurotransmitters in their mode of action? Hormones are chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream, affecting distant target cells. Neurotransmitters transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

13. Explain the role of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system. The hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland, controlling the release of many hormones throughout the body.

Section 4: Brain Imaging Techniques

14. Briefly describe the following brain imaging techniques and their applications:

• EEG (Electroencephalogram): Measures brainwave activity using electrodes placed on the scalp. Useful for studying sleep, seizures, and brain activity during cognitive tasks.
• MEG (Magnetoencephalography): Measures magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in the brain. Provides better spatial resolution than EEG.
• PET (Positron Emission Tomography): Measures brain activity by detecting radioactive tracers. Useful for studying metabolic activity in different brain regions.
• fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. Provides high spatial resolution and is widely used in cognitive neuroscience.

Answer Key:

(Provide the answer key here. Remember to explain why the correct answer is correct for multiple-choice questions.)

This practice test provides a solid foundation for reviewing Unit 2. Remember to consult your textbook and class notes for further clarification. Good luck with your studies!