AP PSYCHOLOGY Competency test preparation questions with
approved Answers 2025/2026
What are dendrites? - correct answer Rootlike parts of the cell that stretch
out from the cell body.
What is a cell body? - correct answer Contains the nucleus and other parts
of the cell needed to sustain its life.
What is an axon? - correct answer A wirelike structure ending in the terminal
buttons that extends from the cell body.
What is the myelin sheath? - correct answer A fatty covering around the
axon of some neurons that speeds neural impulses.
What are terminal buttons? - correct answer The branched end of the axon
that contains neurotransmitters.
What are neurotransmitters? - correct answer chemicals contained in
terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate.
What does a neurotransmitter specifically do? - correct answer
Neurotransmitters fit into receptor sites on the dendrites of neurons like a key
fits into a lock.
What is a synapse? - correct answer The space between the terminal
buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron.
What is the charge of a neuron in its resting state? - correct answer A neuron
has an overall slightly negative charge because mostly negative ions are
within the cell and mostly positive ions are surrounding it.
,What is threshold? - correct answer The level of neurotransmitters received.
What is action potential? - correct answer The electric message firing from a
neuron.
How fast is an action potential? - correct answer 120 meters per second.
What is the all-or-none principle? - correct answer Either a neuron
completely fires or it does not fire at all.
From what direction does a neuron fire? - correct answer From dendrites to
terminal buttons.
What two sets of wires does our body need when a neuron fires? - correct
answer 1. To take information to the brain.
2. Take instructions back from the brain to the muscles.
What do afferent neurons do? - correct answer Take information from the
senses to the brain.
What are the function of Acetylcholine? - correct answer Motor movement.
What is the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
acetylcholine? - correct answer Lack of acetylcholine is associated with
Alzheimer's disease.
What is the function of dopamine? - correct answer Motor movement and
alertness.
, What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
dopamine? - correct answer Lack of dopamine is associated with Parkinson's
disease, an overabundance is associated with schizophrenia.
What is the function of Endorphins? - correct answer Pain control.
What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
Endorphins? - correct answer Involved in addictions.
What is the function of serotonin? - correct answer Mood control.
What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
serotonin? - correct answer Lack of serotonin is associated with clinical
depression.
What is the function of GABA? - correct answer Important inhibitory
neurotransmitter.
What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of GABA?
- correct answer Seizures, sleep problems.
What is the function of glutamate? - correct answer Excitatory
neurotransmitter, involved in memory.
What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
glutamate? - correct answer Migraines, seizures
What is the function of norepinephrine? - correct answer Alertness, arousal.
approved Answers 2025/2026
What are dendrites? - correct answer Rootlike parts of the cell that stretch
out from the cell body.
What is a cell body? - correct answer Contains the nucleus and other parts
of the cell needed to sustain its life.
What is an axon? - correct answer A wirelike structure ending in the terminal
buttons that extends from the cell body.
What is the myelin sheath? - correct answer A fatty covering around the
axon of some neurons that speeds neural impulses.
What are terminal buttons? - correct answer The branched end of the axon
that contains neurotransmitters.
What are neurotransmitters? - correct answer chemicals contained in
terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate.
What does a neurotransmitter specifically do? - correct answer
Neurotransmitters fit into receptor sites on the dendrites of neurons like a key
fits into a lock.
What is a synapse? - correct answer The space between the terminal
buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron.
What is the charge of a neuron in its resting state? - correct answer A neuron
has an overall slightly negative charge because mostly negative ions are
within the cell and mostly positive ions are surrounding it.
,What is threshold? - correct answer The level of neurotransmitters received.
What is action potential? - correct answer The electric message firing from a
neuron.
How fast is an action potential? - correct answer 120 meters per second.
What is the all-or-none principle? - correct answer Either a neuron
completely fires or it does not fire at all.
From what direction does a neuron fire? - correct answer From dendrites to
terminal buttons.
What two sets of wires does our body need when a neuron fires? - correct
answer 1. To take information to the brain.
2. Take instructions back from the brain to the muscles.
What do afferent neurons do? - correct answer Take information from the
senses to the brain.
What are the function of Acetylcholine? - correct answer Motor movement.
What is the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
acetylcholine? - correct answer Lack of acetylcholine is associated with
Alzheimer's disease.
What is the function of dopamine? - correct answer Motor movement and
alertness.
, What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
dopamine? - correct answer Lack of dopamine is associated with Parkinson's
disease, an overabundance is associated with schizophrenia.
What is the function of Endorphins? - correct answer Pain control.
What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
Endorphins? - correct answer Involved in addictions.
What is the function of serotonin? - correct answer Mood control.
What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
serotonin? - correct answer Lack of serotonin is associated with clinical
depression.
What is the function of GABA? - correct answer Important inhibitory
neurotransmitter.
What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of GABA?
- correct answer Seizures, sleep problems.
What is the function of glutamate? - correct answer Excitatory
neurotransmitter, involved in memory.
What are the problems associated with an excess or deficit amount of
glutamate? - correct answer Migraines, seizures
What is the function of norepinephrine? - correct answer Alertness, arousal.
