Q1.
This question is about the nervous system.
(a) Describe the function of receptors in the skin.
Receptors in the skin detect a stimuli such as increased heat or a sharp object and
then send an electrical impulses to the Central Nervous System through the
sensory neurone.
(2)
(b) A response is caused when information in the nervous system reaches an effector.
(i) There are two different types of effector.
Complete the table to show:
• the two different types of effector
• the response each type of effector makes.
Muscle effectors Contract and relax
Produce enzymes and hormones
Gland effectors
(4)
(ii) Some effectors help to control body temperature.
Give one reason why it is important to control body temperature.
So enzymes don’t get damaged and work at their best
(1)
(Total 7 marks)
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Q2.
This question is about the nervous system.
(a) Describe the difference between the function of a receptor and the function of an
effector.
In your answer you should give one example of a receptor and one example of an
effector.
A receptor such as skin detects changes in the environment called stimuli whereas
effectors such as glands and muscles actually effect the response
(4)
(b) Synapses are important in the nervous system.
(i) What is a synapse?
A synapse is a gap in the relay neurone which are in the Central nervous system
which use diffusion to share electrical impulses through the gaps
(2)
(ii) Describe how information passes across a synapse.
Information passes through the gaps with diffusion using a neurotransmitter
(2)
(c) Reflexes may be co-ordinated by the brain or by the spinal cord.
(i) The reflexes from sense organs in the head are co-ordinated by the brain.
Name a sense organ involved in a reflex co-ordinated by the spinal cord.
The skin
(1)
(ii) The table shows information about reflexes co-ordinated by the brain and
reflexes co-ordinated by the spinal cord.
Organ co- Mean length Mean time Mean speed
ordinating the of neurones taken for of impulse in
reflex involved in reflex in cm per
cm milliseconds millisecond
Brain 12 4 3
Spinal cord 80 50
Calculate the mean speed of the impulse for the reflex co-ordinated by the
spinal cord.
80/90= 1.6
Mean speed =1.6 cm per millisecond
(1)
(iii) In reflexes co-ordinated by the brain there are no relay neurones.
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Suggest why there is a difference in the mean speed of the impulse for the two
reflexes.
This is because there would be less delays as synapses slow down the
electrical impulses
(2)
(Total 12 marks)
Q3.
Reflex actions are rapid and automatic.
(a) Name the following structures in a reflex action.
(i) The structure that detects the stimulus.
receptor
(1)
(ii) The neurone that carries impulses to the central nervous system.
Sensory neurone
(1)
(iii) The neurone that carries impulses away from the central nervous system.
Motor neurones
(1)
(iv) The structure that brings about the response.
effector
(1)
(b) Describe what happens at a synapse when an impulse arrives.
When an impulse arrives, a neurotransmitter allows diffusion to send the impulse across
the gap
(2)
(c) Some people have a condition in which information from the skin does not reach the
brain.
Explain why this is dangerous for the person.
This is because the receptors prevent injury as when a stimuli is detected it sends an
electrical impulse to the effector which effects a response, without them for example
if a hot plate is touched, the person will get burned as the receptors cant detect if the
plate is hot or not
(2)
(Total 8 marks)
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Q4.
The diagram shows the nervous pathway used to coordinate the knee-jerk reflex.
When the person is hit at point P, the lower leg is suddenly raised.
(a) Name neurones A, B and C.
A Sensory neurone
B Motor neurone
C Relay neurone
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(3)
(b) The receptor in the muscle in the leg is sensitive to a stimulus.
Suggest the stimulus.
A sharp object
(1)
(b) Describe what happens at the synapse during this reflex.
The receptor will send the impulse to the central nervous system and then to the effector which
will for example contract to prevent a blade or to prevent a burn
(3)
(Total 7 marks)
Q5.
The diagram shows a section through the spinal cord.
(a) Coordination of a reflex movement of the arm, in response to the hand touching a
hot object, involves three neurones. One of these, the relay neurone, is shown in the
diagram. Complete the nerve pathway between the receptor and the muscle on the
diagram by drawing and labelling:
(i) the sensory neurone;
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(ii) the motor neurone.
(2)
(b) The nerve pathway linking the heat receptor in the hand with the arm muscle is
about 1.5 metres in length. It would take the nervous impulse 0.02 seconds to travel
this distance along a neurone. However, it takes about 0.5 seconds for the arm to
start moving during the reflex response to the heat stimulus.
Explain the difference.
This is due to the synapses as they slow down the impulses. Also time is needed for
the muscles to tense
(2)
(Total 4 marks)
Q6.
The diagram shows the structures involved in a reflex action.
Central Nervous System
receptor
effector
(a) On the diagram, name the structures labelled W, X and Y.
(3)
(b) The control of blood sugar level is an example of an action controlled by hormones.
Give two ways in which a reflex action is different from an action controlled by
hormones.
1. reflex actions are faster
2. reflex actions involves impulses whereas hormones use chemicals
(2)
(Total 5 marks)
Q7.
The diagram shows the structures involved in the knee-jerk reflex. When the person is hit
at point P, the lower leg is suddenly raised.
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(a) Name the structures labelled A, B and C.
A sensory neurone
B motor neurone
C Central nervous system
(3)
(b) How is information passed across a synapse?
Using diffusion and a chemical called a neurotransmitter
(1)
(c) What is the effector in this response?
A muscle
(1)
(Total 5 marks)
Q8.
The diagram below shows how a nerve impulse passing along a relay neurone causes an
impulse to be sent along another type of neurone, neurone X.
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(a) What type of neurone is neurone X?
Motor neurone
(1)
(b) Describe how information passes from the relay neurone to neurone X.
Use the diagram to help you.
Electrical impulses are sent from the relay neurone to the motor neurone using a synapse.
The synapse sends information by diffusing across the gap using a neurotransmitter
(3)
(c) Scientists investigated the effect of two toxins on the way in which information
passes across synapses. The table below shows the results.
Toxin Effect at the synapse
Decreases the effect of the chemical
Curare
on neurone X
Increases the amount of the
Strychnine
chemical made in the relay neurone
Describe the effect of each of the toxins on the response by muscles.
Curare relaxation of muscle
Strychnine increases contraction
(2)
(Total 6 marks)
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