The central nervous system (CNS) consists of

Answer: The brain and spinal cord CNS = brain + spinal cord; PNS = everything else (nerves throughout the body).

The rise in heart rate and blood pressure during the speech is most directly attributable to:

Answer: Sympathetic nervous system activation releasing epinephrine The fight-or-flight response is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which signals the adrenal medulla to release epinephrine (adrenaline), increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. The parasympathetic system does the opposite.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is divided into

Answer: Somatic and autonomic Somatic = voluntary skeletal control; autonomic = involuntary (further split into sympathetic/parasympathetic).

AP Psychology · Topic 1.2

Overview of the Nervous System Practice

Part of Biological Bases of Behavior.

Practice questions

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Sample questions

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Sample 1difficulty 2/5
$The central nervous system (CNS) consists of$
- A
  $The brain and spinal cord$
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- B
  $The autonomic system$
- C
  $Sensory neurons only$
- D
  $All nerves outside the brain$
Why
$CNS = brain + spinal cord; PNS = everything else (nerves throughout the body).$
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Sample 2difficulty 2/5
$In a study, researchers exposed undergraduates to a stressful public speaking task while collecting saliva samples every 15 minutes. They observed elevations in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) followed by sharp increases in salivary cortisol that peaked about 20 minutes after the speech. Heart rate and blood pressure also rose during the speech. Participants in a quiet reading control condition showed no such increases.$
$The rise in heart rate and blood pressure during the speech is most directly attributable to:$
- A
  $Parasympathetic activation slowing heart rate$
- B
  $Decreased thyroid hormone secretion$
- C
  $Cerebellar regulation of cardiac muscle$
- D
  $Sympathetic nervous system activation releasing epinephrine$
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Why
$The fight-or-flight response is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which signals the adrenal medulla to release epinephrine (adrenaline), increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. The parasympathetic system does the opposite.$
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Sample 3difficulty 3/5
$The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is divided into$
- A
  $Brain and spinal cord$
- B
  $Cortex and cerebellum$
- C
  $Sympathetic and parasympathetic$
- D
  $Somatic and autonomic$
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Why
$Somatic = voluntary skeletal control; autonomic = involuntary (further split into sympathetic/parasympathetic).$
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Sample 4difficulty 3/5
$The adrenal glands release$
- A
  $Estrogen and testosterone for sexual development$
- B
  $Growth hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormones$
- C
  $Adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol during stress$
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- D
  $Insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels$
Why
$Adrenals sit atop the kidneys and respond to stress signals.$
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Sample 5difficulty 3/5
$The parasympathetic nervous system primarily$
- A
  $Generates voluntary muscle movement and coordination$
- B
  $Triggers fight-or-flight and mobilizes energy$
- C
  $Forms long-term memories through hippocampal activity$
- D
  $Calms the body and conserves energy ('rest and digest')$
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Why
$Slows heart rate, increases digestion, conserves energy.$
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