AP Psychology Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the AP Psychology Exam with a comprehensive quiz that includes flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is a synapse?

An involuntary muscle contraction
A hormone
A sensory receptor
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the receiving neuron

The correct answer is: The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the receiving neuron

A synapse is the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the receiving neuron. At this connection point, known as the synaptic cleft, neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal of the sending neuron and received by the receptor sites on the dendrites of the receiving neuron. This process allows for communication between neurons in the nervous system. The other options are incorrect: A synapse is not an involuntary muscle contraction. That term refers to a different physiological process. A synapse is not a hormone. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by glands into the bloodstream to regulate various body functions. A synapse is not a sensory receptor, which is a specialized cell or cell structure that detects specific stimuli from the environment.