Biology Matters G.C.E.

'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 13

Chapter 13 The Nervous System

Test Yourself 13.1 (page 258)

Stimulus is a change in the environment. The body’s reaction to the stimulus is the response.
For example, when bright light is shone into the eye, the pupil constricts. The increase in light
intensity is the stimulus while the decrease in the pupil size is the response.

Test Yourself 13.2 (page265)

1. Components of the nervous system are:

– The central nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord; and
– The peripheral nervous system consisting of the cranial nerves from the brain,
the spinal nerves form the spinal cord and the sense organs (receptors).

2. Sensory neurone, relay neurone and motor neurone.

3. Synapse

4. (a) White matter

(b) Grey matter

Test Yourself 13.3 (page 268)

1. A reflex action is an immediate response to a specific stimulus without conscious control.

2.
Reflex action Voluntary action
Not controlled by the will Controlled by the will
Immediate response Slower response
Requires a specific stimulus Does not require a specific stimulus
Impulses produced by receptor Impulses initiated in the forebrain

Get It Right (page 270)

(a) False
Neurones are nerve cells. Nerve fibres are a part of the neurone.
(b) True
(c) False
Sensory, intermediate and motor neurones are not joined together. The junction
between two neurones is called a synapse.
(d) True

Let’s Review (page 270)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. B
2. C

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Biology Matters G.C.E. 'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 13

Section B: Structured Questions

1. (a) The ganglion in the ventral root should be absent;

The cell body of the motor neurone should be in the grey matter; and
The cell body of the sensory neurone should be in the dorsal root ganglion.
(b) A – white matter
B – dorsal root ganglion
C – spinal nerve
(c) Cell bodies of sensory neurones

2. (a) Person B
(b) Person A
(c) Person C

Section C: Free-Response Question

– The bite stimulates the nerve endings (receptors) in your skin and impulses are produced.
– Impulses travel along the sensory neurone to the spinal cord.
– In your spinal cord, the impulses are transmitted across a synapse to a relay neurone
which leads to your brain.
– The impulse reaches your brain and you feel the pain.

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