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Nervous control: exam questions

6 questions, 17 marks. Write your answers on paper, then open each mark scheme.

Spec 14.1Questions and mark scheme (PDF)3 pages

Question 1

Which parts of the body make up the central nervous system (CNS)?

  1. Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
  2. The brain and the spinal cord
  3. Sensory and motor neurones
  4. The brain and the nerves of the eye
[1 mark]
Show mark scheme for question 1

Answer: B (1)

Question 2

Name the type of neurone that: (a) carries impulses from a receptor to the CNS [1] (b) carries impulses from the CNS to an effector [1] (c) is found only inside the CNS and links the other two types [1]

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 2
  • (a) sensory (neurone) (1)
  • (b) motor (neurone) (1)
  • (c) relay (neurone) (1) allow intermediate / connector neurone

Question 3

A person touches a hot object and their hand moves away before they feel pain. (a) Name the type of effector that moves the hand. [1] (b) Describe the path taken by the impulses from the receptor in the skin to the effector. [3] (c) Explain why this response is useful. [1]

[5 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 3
  • (a) muscle (1)
  • (b) impulse in sensory neurone to the spinal cord / CNS (1)
  • passes to a relay neurone (1)
  • passes to a motor neurone (1)
  • motor neurone carries impulse to the muscle / effector (1)
  • (b) Max 3
  • (c) any one from: rapid / automatic response; protects the body from harm / damage / injury (1)

Question 4

State two features of a reflex action.

[2 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 4
  • automatic (1) allow does not involve conscious thought / no decision
  • rapid / fast (1)
  • integrates / coordinates stimuli with the responses of effectors (1)
  • protects the body (from harm) (1)
  • Max 2

Question 5

Supplement (what this means)Supplement: only for the Extended papers (2 and 4). Core students can skip it. What the labels mean

Which sequence correctly describes the events at a synapse?

  1. neurotransmitter diffuses across the gap; neurotransmitter released from vesicles; neurotransmitter binds to receptor proteins; impulse starts in next neurone
  2. neurotransmitter released from vesicles; neurotransmitter diffuses across the gap; neurotransmitter binds to receptor proteins; impulse starts in next neurone
  3. neurotransmitter released from vesicles; neurotransmitter binds to receptor proteins; neurotransmitter diffuses across the gap; impulse starts in next neurone
  4. impulse starts in next neurone; neurotransmitter released from vesicles; neurotransmitter diffuses across the gap; neurotransmitter binds to receptor proteins
[1 mark]
Show mark scheme for question 5

Answer: B (1)

Question 6

Supplement (what this means)Supplement: only for the Extended papers (2 and 4). Core students can skip it. What the labels mean

(a) State what is meant by a synapse. [1] (b) Describe how an impulse is passed from one neurone to the next at a synapse. [3] (c) State what synapses ensure about the direction in which impulses travel. [1]

[5 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 6
  • (a) a junction between two neurones (1) allow a gap between two neurones
  • (b) impulse stimulates release of neurotransmitter (molecules) from vesicles into the synaptic gap (1)
  • neurotransmitter diffuses across the gap (1)
  • neurotransmitter binds with receptor proteins on the next neurone (1)
  • impulse is stimulated in the next neurone (1)
  • (b) Max 3
  • (c) (impulses travel in) one direction only (1) allow one way
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