Practise AP Psychology 1.3 neuron and neural-firing questions by linking cell structures, transmission processes and neurotransmitters to behaviour.
Ashley planned to drive from New York to California to attend college. However, shortly after departing, she
became uncertain about which roads to take and called her parents for assistance with directions. Because she
was distracted, she drove off the side of the road and grazed the front bumper of her car on the guardrail.
Fortunately, the car was not too badly damaged, so she continued on her journey. Although she ultimately
made it to California, she had a lingering fear of guardrails for several months following her experience.
Part A
Explain how each of the following might have helped Ashley drive from New York to California.
Definitions alone will not score.
- Motor neurons
- Retinal disparity
- Heuristic
Motor neurons
Point 1: Motor Neurons
Student must depict motor neurons enabling Ashley's movement in the context of driving a car.
- Score: "Ashley's motor neurons allow her to press the gas pedal in her car."
- Do NOT score: "Motor neurons help her drive the car."
Jackie has been chosen for the lead role in the school play. She is both nervous and excited about this
opportunity.
Part A
Explain how each of the following concepts may help her performance in the play.
- Context-dependent memory
- Acetylcholine
- Kinesthetic sense
Acetylcholine
Point 2: Acetylcholine
Responses must link acetylcholine's role in memory, learning, muscle movement, emotion, arousal, or calming to
a positive practice-/performance-related outcome.
- Score: "Jackie's acetylcholine allows her to remember when she needs to say particular lines during the
play."
- Score: "Acetylcholine allows Jackie to move easily from one position to another on the stage."
Note: Responses need not identify ACh as a neurotransmitter or chemical. However, responses that
mischaracterize ACh as a drug, hormone, brain part, neuron, etc., do NOT score the point.
At a party, Sonya takes a drug that mimics the effect of dopamine on the brain. This drug can best be classified as a(n)
endorphin.
hormone.
agonist.
neurotransmitter.
C