AP®︎ Psychology: Topic 1.3 Practice Test
Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with focused practice questions on Topic 1.3 of AP Psychology – The Neuron and Neural Firing.
Questions List
Topic 1.3
Question 1 Easy
This question tests the following: 1.3.A.1
What are the primary information processors in the nervous system?
What You’re Being Tested On:
Explore the learning objectives taken directly from the College Board’s AP® Psychology Curriculum. Ensure you’re prepared for the exact topics covered on the AP® exam, in-class tests, and quizzes, and gain confidence in your mastery of the material.
Topic 1.3: The Neuron and Neural Firing
Learning Objective: 1.3.A
Explain how the structures and functions of typical neurons in the central nervous system affect behavior and mental processes.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.A.1
Two common types of neural cells in the brain are neurons (neural cells that transmit information) and glial cells (cells that provide structure, insulation, communication, and waste transport). These types of cells form the basis of the nervous system and are the building blocks of all behavior and mental processes.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.A.2
In the spinal cord, the reflex arc demonstrates how neurons within the central and peripheral nervous systems work together to respond to stimuli. Three types of neurons work together in the spinal cord to create a reflex arc: sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.
Learning Objective: 1.3.B
Explain how the basic process of neural transmission is related to behavior and mental processes.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.B.1
The process of neural transmission most commonly occurs in an orderly, systematic way and involves the all-or-none principle, depolarization, refractory period, resting potential, reuptake, and threshold. Disruptions to this process could lead to disorders such as multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis. Exclusion Statement: The sodium-potassium pump is outside the scope of the AP Psychology Exam.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.B.2
Each neurotransmitter has specific function(s) related to behavior and mental processes, which may depend on the neurotransmitter’s location in the nervous system. Neurotransmitters generally communicate either excitatory (making an action potential more likely) or inhibitory (making an action potential less likely) messages. Neurotransmitters related to behavior and mental processes for study in AP Psychology are limited to dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, glutamate, GABA, endorphins, substance p, and acetylcholine. Exclusion Statement: The AP Psychology Exam will only address the listed neurotransmitters in EK 1.3.B.2.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.B.3
Outside of the nervous system, hormones perform actions similar to neurotransmitters. Hormones related to behavior and mental processes for study in AP Psychology are limited to adrenaline, leptin, ghrelin, melatonin, and oxytocin. Exclusion Statement: The AP Psychology Exam will only address the listed hormones in EK 1.3.B.3. Exclusion Statement: Specific information about the glands of the endocrine system (with the exception of the pituitary gland as referenced in EK 1.4.A.4) is outside the scope of the AP Psychology Exam.
Learning Objective: 1.3.C
Explain how psychoactive drugs affect behavior and mental processes.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.C.1
Psychoactive drugs can influence neurotransmitter function in various ways throughout the neural communication process. Some act as agonists which encourage neural firing. Some act as antagonists which discourage neural firing. Some act as reuptake inhibitors which block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters back into the cell.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.C.2
Psychoactive drugs have psychological and physiological effects.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.C.2.i
Stimulants, such as caffeine and cocaine, typically cause increased neural activity.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.C.2.ii
Depressants, such as alcohol, typically cause decreased neural activity.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.C.2.iii
Hallucinogens, such as marijuana, typically cause distortions in perception and/or cognition.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.C.2.iv
Opioids, such as heroin, typically act as pain relievers.
Essential Knowledge: 1.3.C.3
Psychoactive drug use can lead to tolerance and/or addiction. Addiction can create significant withdrawal symptoms if the psychoactive drugs are no longer consumed.
