AP Psychology Practice Test: Biological Bases of Behavior

This AP Psychology practice test covers the biological bases of behavior. You should be familiar with physiological techniques, functions of the nervous system, neural transmission, neuroanatomy, neuroplasticity, the endocrine system, genetics, and evolutionary psychology. Our free practice quiz is a great place to start your test prep.

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Question 1

As Jill walked toward the stage to give her speech that is a large part of her course grade, her heartbeat accelerated, her blood pressure rose, and she began to sweat. Jill’s state of arousal was activated by what part of the autonomic nervous system?

A
Central
B
Peripheral
C
Sympathetic
D
Parasympathetic
E
Cerebral
Question 1 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which also includes the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The SNS activates what is often termed the “fight or flight” response, which is described in the above example. The PNS brings the body back to the normal state and can be thought of as the “rest and digest” system (parasympathetic = parachute).
Question 2

What brain structure provides the major link between the nervous system and the endocrine system?

A
Amygdala
B
Cerebellum
C
Corpus callosum
D
Hypothalamus
E
Reticular formation
Question 2 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). The hypothalamus is a section of the brain responsible for the production of many of the body’s essential hormones, chemical substances that help influence different cells and organs. The hormones from the hypothalamus govern physiological functions such as temperature regulation, thirst, hunger, sleep, mood, sex drive, and the release of other hormones within the body.
Question 3

Which part of the cerebral cortex directs the muscle movements involved in producing speech?

A
Amygdala
B
Angular gyrus
C
Broca’s area
D
Reticular formation
E
Cerebellum
Question 3 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). Broca’s area is one of the main areas of the cerebral cortex responsible for producing language. This brain area controls motor functions involved with speech production. Persons with damage to Broca’s area of the brain can understand language but cannot properly form words or produce speech.
Question 4

What parts make up the central nervous system (CNS)?

A
Tendons and muscles
B
Joints and all the axons in the body
C
Brain and spinal cord
D
The sense organs
E
Lens and cornea
Question 4 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). The brain and spinal cord, together, make up the Central Nervous System. All other nerves are considered part of the peripheral nervous system.
Question 5

A squirrel fails to react with fear to a signal of impending shock if they have suffered damage to the:

A
Amygdala
B
Corpus callosum
C
Hippocampus
D
Hypothalamus
E
Thalamus
Question 5 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). The amygdala is a pair of almond-shaped tissues located deep in the brain’s medial temporal lobe. It plays a key role in the processing of emotions, including fear; damage to the amygdala results in difficulties with decision-making, memory, and emotional response in particular fear and aggression.
Question 6

The lateralization of brain function indicates that spoken language functions are generally found in which of the following:

A
Left hemisphere
B
Frontal lobe
C
Occipital lobe
D
Parietal lobe
E
Right hemisphere
Question 6 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). While many brain functions are not expressed solely by one hemisphere or another, language functions including grammar and vocabulary are typically found in the left hemisphere.
Question 7

In some neurons, the axon is insulated by the:

A
Ganglion
B
Nerve fiber
C
Myelin sheath
D
Neurotransmitters
E
Bipolar cells
Question 7 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). The myelin sheath insulates the axon, speeding up the neural impulse.
Question 8

The term all or none response is descriptive of:

A
Autonomic system functioning
B
The neural impulse
C
Communication between hemispheres
D
The release of hormones
E
Movement of neurotransmitters across the synapse
Question 8 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). The neural impulse either occurs fully or does not occur. The speed and intensity are unchanging but the rate of firing can vary.
Question 9

Sensory motor responses that are innate, automatic and typically of short duration are:

A
Affective
B
Instincts
C
Permeable
D
Reflexes
E
Conditioned
Question 9 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). Reflexes are rapid, automatic responses that are neither conscious nor voluntary.
Question 10

Humans have approximately 70,000 genes that are arranged on how many pairs of chromosomes?

A
10
B
23
C
27
D
46
E
144
Question 10 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). Human genes are arranged on 46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs, 22 of which are autosomes and 1 of which is a sex chromosome.
Question 11

The term “soma” is synonymous with:

A
Neuron
B
Dendrite
C
Cell body
D
Axon
E
Synapse
Question 11 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). The soma, or cell body, of a neuron contains the nucleus of the cell along with its DNA and the metabolic machinery that keeps the neuron alive.
Question 12

In 2001, scientists finished assembling the complete inventory of all human genes. What is this called?

A
Human Genome
B
Human Genotype
C
Human Meme
D
Human Phenotype
E
Human Phoneme
Question 12 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). The term genome refers to the catalog of all genes of a species; the genotype refers to a particular variation of genes within an individual.
Question 13

A stroke patient is shown a vacation snapshot, which she describes as “man… tall… woman… hat… mountain… smiles.” This patient is most likely suffering from which of the following conditions?

A
Damage to their medulla
B
Broca’s aphasia
C
A severed corpus callosum
D
Multiple sclerosis
E
Wernicke’s aphasia
Question 13 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). Patients with Broca’s aphasia can convey content, but their speech is halting and unstructured. Broca’s aphasia typically involves the omission of the articles ‘a’ and ‘the.’
Question 14

The somatosensory area of the cerebral cortex is responsible for our sense of:

A
Hearing
B
Sight
C
Smell
D
Taste
E
Touch
Question 14 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (E). The somatosensory area receives afferent input from receptors in the skin that convey information about touch (mechanoreception), pain (nociception), and temperature (thermoception).
Question 15

As the result of a cerebral hemorrhage, a patient lost the ability to breathe and died. An autopsy will show damage to what part of the brain?

A
Amygdala
B
Cerebellum
C
Hippocampus
D
Medulla
E
Midbrain
Question 15 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). The medulla, located in the hindbrain, controls vital and autonomic life-sustaining functions including heartbeat, circulation and respiration.
Question 16

Which of the following is not a neurotransmitter?

A
Acetylcholine
B
Dopamine
C
Cortisol
D
Insulin
E
Serotonin
Question 16 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). Insulin is not a neurotransmitter; it is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
Question 17

Complete the analogy — left hemisphere is to right hemisphere as:

A
Balance is to movement
B
Broca’s area is to Wernicke’s area
C
Hearing is to speaking
D
Language functioning is to spatial ability
E
Sensation is to action
Question 17 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). Language is primarily a function of the left hemisphere, while spatial ability is primarily a function of the right hemisphere.
Question 18

Reid was unable to walk in a coordinated fashion due to damage to a particular part of his brain. Where did this damage most likely occur?

A
Cerebellum
B
Medulla
C
Pons
D
Reticular formation
E
Thyroid
Question 18 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). The cerebellum is responsible for maintaining, coordinating, and regulating muscular activity. The cerebellum plays a key role in balance.
Question 19

What part of the brain has been surgically cut in “split-brain” patients?

A
Cerebellum
B
Cerebrum
C
Corpus callosum
D
Distal cortex
E
Hippocampus
Question 19 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). “Split-brain” patients are those who have had their corpus callosum severed as a means of treating epilepsy that does not respond to medication. The corpus callosum is the thick bundle of nerves that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Question 20

Which hormone, secreted by the pineal gland, increases when periods of darkness begin and promotes feelings of drowsiness?

A
Cortisol
B
Epinephrine
C
Insulin
D
Melatonin
E
Testosterone
Question 20 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). While all of these are hormones, melatonin is the only hormone listed that is secreted by the pineal gland. It is also the only hormone listed that helps regulate sleep.
Question 21

A drug that enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter by enhancing its effects for example by delaying its breakdown in the synapse is referred to as?

A
An agonist
B
An antagonist
C
An excitatory postsynaptic potential
D
An inhibitory postsynaptic potential
E
A transducer
Question 21 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). An agonist enhances or mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter; an antagonist has the opposite effect and mitigates the effects of a neurotransmitter.
Question 22

Which of the following neurological disorders is associated with a deficiency of acetylcholine?

A
Alzheimer’s disease
B
Autism disorder
C
Huntington’s disease
D
Parkinson’s disease
E
Wernicke’s aphasia
Question 22 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). Alzheimer’s disease is associated with a deficiency of acetylcholine.
Question 23

Which of the following changes is not caused by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system?

A
Acceleration of heart action
B
Decrease in digestive secretions
C
Dilation of pupils
D
Opening of respiratory passages
E
Increased digestion
Question 23 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (E). All of these other actions are caused by the sympathetic nervous system which prepares the body for action in response to an emergency or the presence of danger. The SNS is commonly associated with the ‘fight-or-flight response.
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