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The human nervous system: exam questions

9 questions, 25 marks. Write your answers on paper, then open each mark scheme.

Spec 4.5.2Questions and mark scheme (PDF)5 pages

Question 1

A person touches a hot object and their hand moves away without them thinking. Describe the path taken by the nerve impulse in this reflex action.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 1
  • impulse travels along the sensory neurone (from the receptor) to the CNS / spinal cord (1)
  • impulse crosses a synapse to the relay neurone (1)
  • impulse passes (across another synapse) to the motor neurone (1)
  • motor neurone carries the impulse to the effector / muscle, which contracts (1)
  • Max 3

Question 2

A student measured her reaction time five times using a computer test. The results were 0.26 s, 0.24 s, 0.31 s, 0.27 s and 0.28 s. Calculate her mean reaction time.

[2 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 2
  • 0.26 + 0.24 + 0.31 + 0.27 + 0.28 = 1.36 (1)
  • 1.36 ÷ 5 = 0.27 s (1) allow 0.272 s
  • allow 1 mark for dividing their total by 5 if the addition is wrong

Question 3

Describe how you could investigate the effect of a distraction, such as music, on a person’s reaction time using a ruler.

[4 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 3
  • partner holds ruler vertically and drops it without warning; the person catches it and the distance is read from the ruler (1)
  • repeat with and without the distraction (1)
  • control variables stated, such as the same person, the same hand and the same drop height (1)
  • repeat several times and calculate a mean (for each condition) (1)
  • allow: a shorter distance means a faster reaction

Question 4

Triple only (what this means)Triple only: only in Triple Biology. Combined Science students can skip it. What the labels mean

The cerebral cortex, the cerebellum and the medulla are regions of the brain. Describe one function of each region.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 4
  • cerebral cortex: consciousness / intelligence / memory / language (1)
  • cerebellum: coordinates muscular activity / balance (1)
  • medulla: controls unconscious activities, such as heart rate or breathing (1)

Question 5

Triple only (what this means)Triple only: only in Triple Biology. Combined Science students can skip it. What the labels mean
Higher tier (what this means)Higher tier: only on the Higher tier papers. Foundation students can skip it. What the labels mean

Explain why it is difficult to investigate brain function and to treat brain disorders.

[2 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 5
  • the brain is very complex / made of billions of interconnected neurones with different regions (1)
  • the brain is delicate, so investigation or treatment can damage it (1)

Question 6

Triple only (what this means)Triple only: only in Triple Biology. Combined Science students can skip it. What the labels mean

A person walks from a bright room into a dim room. What happens in their eye so that they can see better?

  1. The ciliary muscles contract
  2. The pupil becomes wider
  3. The lens becomes thinner
  4. The pupil becomes narrower
[1 mark]
Show mark scheme for question 6

Answer: B – the iris makes the pupil wider so more light enters the eye (1)

Question 7

Triple only (what this means)Triple only: only in Triple Biology. Combined Science students can skip it. What the labels mean

Explain how the eye focuses on a near object.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 7
  • ciliary muscles contract (1)
  • suspensory ligaments loosen (1)
  • lens becomes thicker (1)
  • so refracts the light rays more strongly / light focuses on the retina (1)
  • Max 3

Question 8

Triple only (what this means)Triple only: only in Triple Biology. Combined Science students can skip it. What the labels mean

A person with myopia (short sightedness) cannot see distant objects clearly. Explain how a spectacle lens can correct this.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 8
  • in myopia, light rays from distant objects focus in front of the retina (1)
  • a concave lens is used (1)
  • it refracts / spreads the light rays so that they focus on the retina (1)

Question 9

Triple only (what this means)Triple only: only in Triple Biology. Combined Science students can skip it. What the labels mean
Higher tier (what this means)Higher tier: only on the Higher tier papers. Foundation students can skip it. What the labels mean

A person walks outside on a very cold day and their body temperature begins to fall. Explain how their body responses raise body temperature.

[4 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 9
  • blood vessels constrict / vasoconstriction (1)
  • so less blood flows near the skin surface and less energy is transferred to the surroundings (1)
  • sweating stops, so less energy is transferred by evaporation (1)
  • skeletal muscles contract rapidly / shiver (1)
  • respiration in the muscles releases energy, which warms the body (1)
  • Max 4
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