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Example Questions
Example Question #74 : Brain And Nervous System
Which of the following is not one of the functions that the hypothalamus regulates?
Sleep
Hunger
Maintaining homeostasis
Visual information processing
Sexual arousal
Visual information processing
The hypothalamus is involved in regulating several functions, which includes: maintaining homeostasis, body temperature, hunger, thirst, sexual drive, sleep, and mood. It does this by releasing hormones through the pituitary gland. The occipital lobe is the part of the brain that is involved in processing visual information.
Example Question #74 : Brain And Nervous System
Which of the following plays a role in the onset muscular rigidity and tremors found in Parkinson's disease?
A deficiency of dopamine
None of these
A deficiency of serotonin
An overabundance of serotonin
An overabundance of dopamine
A deficiency of dopamine
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder that affects the substantia nigra, among other nerve cells. This region is responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that facilitates smooth and coordinated body movements by allowing communication between the brain and muscles. When dopamine receptors related to movement are inadequately stimulated the result can be inhibitory, causing muscle rigidity and tremors. On the other hand, an overabundance of dopamine may produce symptoms of paranoia and psychosis as can be found in true schizophrenia. A deficiency in serotonin has been associated with depression, increased aggression, and overeating. Overly high serotonin levels on the other hand result in symptoms including confusion, a rapid heart-rate, agitation, and restlessness.
Example Question #76 : Brain And Nervous System
Which area of the brain works to consolidate memories from short-term memory into long-term memory?
Frontal lobe
Central sulcus
Amygdala
Corpus callosum
Hippocampus
Hippocampus
The "hippocampus," part of the brain's limbic system, plays an important role in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory. In addition, the hippocampus helps with our spatial navigation.
Example Question #79 : Brain And Nervous System
Which of the following brain structures is not located in the limbic system?
Cerebrum
Amygdala
Fornix
Cingulate gyrus
Hippocampus
Cerebrum
The "cerebrum" is a large part of the brain containing the cerebral cortex, as well as several subcortical structures. The cerebrum is not located in the limbic system, while the other answer choices are.
Example Question #131 : Biology
Which of the following parts of the brain is responsible for maintaining our breathing and heart rate?
Cerebellum
Medulla
Cerebrum
Amygdala
Pons
Medulla
The "medulla," also known as the medulla oblongata, contains the respiratory, cardiac, and vasomotor centers of the brain; therefore, the medulla controls the autonomic functions. These functions include: breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. We would be not be able to survive—not even for a minute—without a functioning medulla.
Example Question #132 : Biology
Which part of the brain is responsible for secreting hormones that control our body temperature and circadian rhythm?
Sulcus
Prefrontal cortex
Corpus callosum
Hypothalamus
Gyrus
Hypothalamus
The "hypothalamus" is responsible for synthesizing and secreting neurohormones that stimulate the secretion of pituitary hormones. The hypothalamus controls many important bodily functions, including maintaining a healthy body temperature and circadian rhythm (i.e. our 24 hour internal cycle).
Example Question #131 : Biology
Which part of the brain is chiefly responsible for auditory and olfactory processing?
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
Prefrontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Frontal lobe
Temporal lobe
The "temporal lobe" plays an important role in organizing sensory input, auditory information, and language production. All four major lobes of the brain (temporal, parietal, frontal, and occipital) are located in the cerebral cortex.
Example Question #133 : Biology
Which of the following parts of the brain is most heavily involved with decision making processes?
Amygdala
Fornix
Corpus callosum
Cerebral cortex
Cerebral cortex
The "cerebral cortex" is the large, folded exterior portion of the cerebrum that contains the different lobes of the brain. This structure is responsible for memory, perception, and consciousness—among other things. The fornix and the amygdala are part of the limbic system and do not play a large role in higher level thought. Additionally, the corpus callosum is anatomically defined simply as the connections between the two hemispheres of the brain.
Example Question #134 : Biology
The function of the parasympathetic nervous system is to __________.
initiate a "fight or flight" response
voluntarily contract skeletal muscle
activate digestion
activate a "rest and digest" response
None of these
activate a "rest and digest" response
The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is responsible for activating "rest and digest" and returning the body to equilibrium after a fight or flight response. This is opposed to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) that is involved in the "fight or flight" response. They are both branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which involuntarily regulates function of internal organs.
Example Question #135 : Biology
Which structure connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres of the brain?
Thalamus
Corpus callosum
Brainstem
Wernicke's area
Broca's area
Corpus callosum
The corpus callosum is a band of nerve fibers that connect the brain's left and right hemispheres together. It is the largest white matter structure in the brain, and allows valuable information to be shared across brain hemispheres.
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