AP Psychology: Biological Bases of Behavior
Directions: Examine each objective and be sure that you can thoroughly answer each. Be sure to examine the key
concepts/vocabulary terms associated with each.
Intro to Biological Bases of Behavior (pg. 51-52)
1. Explain why psychologists are concerned with human biology, and describe the ill-fated phrenology theory.
Neural Communication (pg. 52-58)
2. Describe the parts of a neuron and explain how its impulses are generated.
3. Describe how nerve cells communicate.
4. Describe how neurotransmitters influence behavior (highlight key neurotransmitters and their functions), and
explain how drugs and other chemicals affect neurotransmission.
The Nervous System (pg. 59-63)
5. Identify the two major divisions of the nervous system, and describe their basic functions.
The Endocrine System (pg. 62-63)
6. Describe the nature and functions of the endocrine system and its interaction with the nervous system.
Tools of Discovery (pg. 67-68)
7. Describe the techniques for studying the brain.
Older Brain Structures (pg. 69-73)
8. Describe the components of the brainstem, and summarize the functions of the brainstem, thalamus, and
cerebellum.
9. Describe the structures and functions of the limbic system, and explain how these structures control the
pituitary gland.
The Cerebral Cortex (pg. 74-83)
10. Describe the structure of the cerebral cortex and explain the various functions of the four lobes.
11. Summarize some of the findings on the functions of the motor cortex and the sensory cortex, and discuss the
importance of the association areas.
12. Identify the brain areas involved in language, and explain how these areas coordinate to produce speech.
13. Discuss the brain’s plasticity following injury or illness.
Our Divided Brain (pg. 83-86)
14. Describe split-brain research, and explain how it helps us understand the functions of our left and right
hemispheres.
Right-left Differences (pg. 86-89)
15. Describe the distinct functions of the brain’s two hemispheres and discuss the relationship between brain
organization and handedness.
The Brain and Consciousness (pg. 89-91)
16. Describe research that leads cognitive neuroscientists to infer how the brain’s dual processing affects our
perception, memory, and attitudes on conscious and unconscious levels.