AP Psychology Test Exam Review Questions with all
Answers verified for accuracy Updated 2025/2026
Genotype - correct answer an individual's genetic make-up
Glial cells - correct answer supportive cells of nervous system that guide
growth of new neurons; forms myelin sheath; holds neuron in place; provides
nourishment and removes waste
Gonads - correct answer reproductive glands-male, testes; female, ovaries
Graded potential - correct answer shift in electrical charge in a tiny area of
the neuron (temporary); transmits a long cell membranes leaving neuron and
polarized state; needs higher than normal threshold of excitation to fire
Heritability - correct answer the proportion of variation among individuals
that is due to genetic causes
Hindbrain - correct answer division which includes the cerebellum, Pons,
and medulla; responsible for involuntary processes: blood pressure, body
temperature, heart rate, breathing, sleep cycles
Hippocampus - correct answer part of the limbic system and is involved in
learning and forming new long-term memories
Hormone - correct answer chemical that carries messages that travel
through the bloodstream to help regulate bodily functions
Human genomes - correct answer 30,000 genes needed to build a human
,Hypothalamus - correct answer area of the brain that is part of the limbic
system and regulates behaviors such as, eating, drinking, sexual behaviors,
motivation; also body temperature
Identical twins - correct answer twins from a single fertilized egg (zygote)
with the same genetic makeup; also called monozygotic (MZ) twins
Inhibitory neurotransmitter - correct answer chemical secreted at terminal
button that prevents (or reduces ability of) the neuron on the other side of the
synapse from firing
Insulin - correct answer hormone backpacks in the regulation of blood
sugar by acting in the utilization of carbohydrates; released by pancreas; too
much-hypoglycemia, too little-diabetes
Interneurons - correct answer nerve cell that transmits messages between
sensory and motor neurons
Ions - correct answer electrically charged particles found both inside and
outside a neuron; negative ions are found inside the cell membrane in a
polarized neuron
Limbic system - correct answer a donut ring-shaped of loosely connected
structures located in the forebrain between the central core and cerebral
hemispheres; consists of: septum, cingulate gyrus, endowments,
hypothalamus, and to campus, and amygdala; associated with emotions and
memories
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - correct answer creates a
computerized image using a magnetic field and pulses of radio waves
,Medulla (also medulla oblongata) - correct answer part of the brain which
controls living functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, body
temperature
Midbrain - correct answer the middle division of brain responsible for
hearing and sight; location where pain is registered; includes temporal lobe,
occipital lobe, and most of the parietal lobe
Motor neurons - correct answer efferent neurons; neurons that carry
messages from spinal cord/brain to muscles and glands
Motor projection areas - correct answer primary motor cortex; areas of the
three boat cortex for response messages from the brain to the muscles and
glands
Myelin sheath - correct answer a white, fatty covering of the axon which
speeds transmission of message
Nature-nurture controversy - correct answer deals with the extent to which
heredity and the environment each influence behavior
Nerve - correct answer bundles of axons
Neural impulse - correct answer action potential; the firing of a nerve cell;
the entire process of the electrical charge (message/impulse) traveling
through inner on; can be as fast as 400 fps (with myelin) or 3 fps (no myelin)
Neural plasticity - correct answer Ability of the brain to change their
experience, both structurally and chemically
, Neurogenesis - correct answer production of new brain cells; November
1988: cancer patients proved that new neurons grew until the end of life
Neuron - correct answer individual cells that are the smallest unit of the
nervous system; it has three functions: receive information, process it, send to
rest of body
Neuroscience - correct answer study of the brain and nervous system;
overlaps with psychobiology
Neurotransmitters - correct answer chemical messengers released by
terminal buttons into the synapse
Norepinephrine - correct answer noradrenaline; chemical which is
excitatory, similar to adrenaline, and affects arousal and memory; raises blood
pressure by causing blood vessels to become constricted, but also carried by
bloodstream to the anterior pituitary which relaxes ACTH thus prolonging
stress response
Occipital lobes - correct answer primary area for processing visual
information
Pancreas - correct answer organ lying between the stomach and small
intestine; regulates blood sugar by secreting to regulating hormones insulin
and glucagon
Parasympathetic nervous system - correct answer a branch of the
autonomic nervous system that maintains normal body functions; it calms the
body after sympathetic stimulation
Answers verified for accuracy Updated 2025/2026
Genotype - correct answer an individual's genetic make-up
Glial cells - correct answer supportive cells of nervous system that guide
growth of new neurons; forms myelin sheath; holds neuron in place; provides
nourishment and removes waste
Gonads - correct answer reproductive glands-male, testes; female, ovaries
Graded potential - correct answer shift in electrical charge in a tiny area of
the neuron (temporary); transmits a long cell membranes leaving neuron and
polarized state; needs higher than normal threshold of excitation to fire
Heritability - correct answer the proportion of variation among individuals
that is due to genetic causes
Hindbrain - correct answer division which includes the cerebellum, Pons,
and medulla; responsible for involuntary processes: blood pressure, body
temperature, heart rate, breathing, sleep cycles
Hippocampus - correct answer part of the limbic system and is involved in
learning and forming new long-term memories
Hormone - correct answer chemical that carries messages that travel
through the bloodstream to help regulate bodily functions
Human genomes - correct answer 30,000 genes needed to build a human
,Hypothalamus - correct answer area of the brain that is part of the limbic
system and regulates behaviors such as, eating, drinking, sexual behaviors,
motivation; also body temperature
Identical twins - correct answer twins from a single fertilized egg (zygote)
with the same genetic makeup; also called monozygotic (MZ) twins
Inhibitory neurotransmitter - correct answer chemical secreted at terminal
button that prevents (or reduces ability of) the neuron on the other side of the
synapse from firing
Insulin - correct answer hormone backpacks in the regulation of blood
sugar by acting in the utilization of carbohydrates; released by pancreas; too
much-hypoglycemia, too little-diabetes
Interneurons - correct answer nerve cell that transmits messages between
sensory and motor neurons
Ions - correct answer electrically charged particles found both inside and
outside a neuron; negative ions are found inside the cell membrane in a
polarized neuron
Limbic system - correct answer a donut ring-shaped of loosely connected
structures located in the forebrain between the central core and cerebral
hemispheres; consists of: septum, cingulate gyrus, endowments,
hypothalamus, and to campus, and amygdala; associated with emotions and
memories
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - correct answer creates a
computerized image using a magnetic field and pulses of radio waves
,Medulla (also medulla oblongata) - correct answer part of the brain which
controls living functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, body
temperature
Midbrain - correct answer the middle division of brain responsible for
hearing and sight; location where pain is registered; includes temporal lobe,
occipital lobe, and most of the parietal lobe
Motor neurons - correct answer efferent neurons; neurons that carry
messages from spinal cord/brain to muscles and glands
Motor projection areas - correct answer primary motor cortex; areas of the
three boat cortex for response messages from the brain to the muscles and
glands
Myelin sheath - correct answer a white, fatty covering of the axon which
speeds transmission of message
Nature-nurture controversy - correct answer deals with the extent to which
heredity and the environment each influence behavior
Nerve - correct answer bundles of axons
Neural impulse - correct answer action potential; the firing of a nerve cell;
the entire process of the electrical charge (message/impulse) traveling
through inner on; can be as fast as 400 fps (with myelin) or 3 fps (no myelin)
Neural plasticity - correct answer Ability of the brain to change their
experience, both structurally and chemically
, Neurogenesis - correct answer production of new brain cells; November
1988: cancer patients proved that new neurons grew until the end of life
Neuron - correct answer individual cells that are the smallest unit of the
nervous system; it has three functions: receive information, process it, send to
rest of body
Neuroscience - correct answer study of the brain and nervous system;
overlaps with psychobiology
Neurotransmitters - correct answer chemical messengers released by
terminal buttons into the synapse
Norepinephrine - correct answer noradrenaline; chemical which is
excitatory, similar to adrenaline, and affects arousal and memory; raises blood
pressure by causing blood vessels to become constricted, but also carried by
bloodstream to the anterior pituitary which relaxes ACTH thus prolonging
stress response
Occipital lobes - correct answer primary area for processing visual
information
Pancreas - correct answer organ lying between the stomach and small
intestine; regulates blood sugar by secreting to regulating hormones insulin
and glucagon
Parasympathetic nervous system - correct answer a branch of the
autonomic nervous system that maintains normal body functions; it calms the
body after sympathetic stimulation
