AP Psych (study guide)

What is the primary function of the myelin sheath?

To speed up the transmission of an electrical impulse.

Which of the following best describes the function of a sensory neuron?

To transmit sensory information from the body to the CNS.

The tiny gap between two neurons where chemical messages are passed is known as the:

Synapse

Which side of the nature vs. nurture debate is concerned with the impact of inherited traits and genetics?

Nature

Which division of the peripheral nervous system is responsible for controlling involuntary functions like digestion?

The Autonomic Nervous System

A drug that enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter is called a(n):

Agonist

Which gland is known as the "master gland" because it regulates other glands in the endocrine system?

The Pituitary Gland

What does the all-or-nothing principle refer to in neural communication?

The electrical impulse either travels the entire length of the axon or not at all.

What is the main role of the brain and spinal cord together as the central nervous system?

To be the body's control center and process information.

Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle?

Melatonin

A student is walking home and a large dog suddenly barks at them. Their heart rate increases, their breathing becomes rapid, and their muscles tense up. Which part of the nervous system is responsible for this physical response?

The Sympathetic Nervous System

A person accidentally touches a hot pan and immediately pulls their hand away. This rapid, automatic response is known as a(n):

Reflex Arc

A psychologist is studying a group of people and finds a heritability score of 0.8 for a specific personality trait. What is the most accurate interpretation of this finding?

80% of the differences in this trait among the people studied are due to genetic differences.

A pharmaceutical company is developing a new drug to help patients with anxiety. They want the drug to reduce the likelihood that neurons will fire. What kind of neurotransmitter effect should the drug mimic?

An inhibitory effect

A person has a disease that causes a progressive breakdown of the myelin sheath. Based on the document, what would be the most likely result?

The individual would experience a slower transmission of neural signals.

A researcher is comparing the DNA of identical and fraternal twins to understand why one twin may have a higher risk for a specific disorder. Which side of the nature vs. nurture debate are they primarily investigating?

The Nature Side.

A patient is prescribed a new medication for depression that increases the amount of serotonin in their brain by preventing its reabsorption in the synapse. This drug is acting as a(n):

Agonist

A person feels their heart rate slow down and their body relax after a stressful situation has passed. Which division of the nervous system is now in control, helping the body return to a state of balance?

The parasympathetic nervous system

A person suffers from a disorder that causes a reduction in the number of dendrites in their neurons. What would be the most immediate consequence of this disorder?

The neurons would be unable to receive signals from other neurons.

A person is feeling particularly tired and lethargic. A doctor suggests it might be due to a problem with the pineal gland. Which hormone is likely being affected?

Melatonin