Practice Questions (options):

1.

Define the following:

Central nervous system The central nervous system (CNS) controls most functions of
the body and mind. It consists of two parts: the brain and the
spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system The portion of the nervous system that is outside the brain
and spinal cord. The nerves in the PNS connect to the CNS to
sensory organs, such as the eye and ear, and to other organs
of the body, muscles, blood vessels, and glands.
Neuron The neuron is the basic working unit of the brain, a
specialized cell designed to transmit information to other
nerve cells, muscle, or gland cells.
Synapse Synapse is a structure that permits a neuron to pass an
electrical or chemical signal to another neuron or to the
target effector cell.
Neurotransmitter A chemical substance which is released at the end of a nerve
fibre by the arrival of a nerve impulse
Resting potential At rest, there are relatively more sodium ions outside the
neuron and more potassium ions inside that neuron. There is
in -70mv
Action potential Action potentials are caused when different ions cross the
neuron membrane. A stimulus first causes sodium channels
to open. Because there are many more sodium ions o
2. State the name and function of each of the labeled structures of this motor neuron.

A = Dendrite
Function: Recibir from a dingal that comes from a dendrite

B = Nucleus
Function: Where essential metabolic processes occur to
maintain cell survival
C= Axon
Function: Passes messages away from the cell body to the
other neurons.
D = Node of Ranvier
Function: speeds up propagation of action potential

E = Myelin sheath
Function: speeds up propagation of action potential and saves
energy
F = Terminal buttons
 Function: Form junctions with other cells

3. This diagram shows a simple reflex arc. Identify the structures labeled A-D and state the
actions 1-3.
A Receptor
B Sensory neuron
C Motor neuron
D Effector
1 Receptor to central nervous system:
sensory neurons
2 Within central nervous system: relay
neurons
3 Central nervous system to effectors:
motor neurons

4. Resting potential is the electrical potential across the membrane of a neuron that is not
conducting an impulse. It is used to repolarize (reset) a neuron in between impulses.

a. List two ions used in neurons.

Sodium and Potassium.

b. Define electrical potential : is the amount of work needed to move a unit of charge
from a reference point to a specific point inside the field without producing an
acceleration.
 c. State the specific method of membrane transport used to maintain resting potential.
Depolarization to repolarization.

d. Explain how a resting potential is maintained, including why it is negative.

● Sodium ions are pumped out of the neuron in Na+K pump
● The constant flow of Sodium and Potassium ions in and out of the neuron
maintain the electrochemical gradient of the resting potential
● Potassium ions are pumped inside the neuron in K channels
● Some potassium ions diffuse back out, leaving the outside of the neuron more
positive and the inside negative

5. Action potential (AP) is the depolarization and repolarization of the neuron to conduct an
electrical impulse.
a. Use the following cues to explain how an AP is transmitted along the neuron.

Resting potential Is maintained through active transport (antiport)

Depolarisation Is triggered by sufficient change in membrane potential,
thus Na channels open end the membrane potential
becomes positive.
Which causes The voltage gated Na+ channel to close and the voltage
gated K+ channel open.
Voltage-gated Na+ Close while voltage-gated K+ channels open
channels
“all or nothing response” If the stimulus exceeds the threshold potential, the nerve
will give a complete response.
K+ channels Open while voltage gated Na+ channels close
Refractory period During this time another stimulus given to the neuron will
not lead to a second action potential.

b. Explain the significance of the labeled features of this graph, showing an action
potential.

1 During resting potential the ion channels for

Na+ ions and K+ ions are both closed
2 Interior of axon become increasingly more
positively charged with respect to the
outside.
3 Interior of axon now starts to become less
positive again.
4 Na+/K+ pump starts working, together with
facilitated diffusion, to that the resting
 potential is re-established.
5 A sufficient change in membrane potential is
achieved (threshold potential) and all
voltage gated Na+ channels open.

c. Outline how a one-way direction of nerve impulse is maintained.

Propagation of nerve impulse is the result of local currents that cause each successive part of the
axon to reach the threshold potential.

d. Compare resting potential and action potentials.

Resting potential Action potential

Also known as… Resting voltage Nerve impulses
Internal potential is… (positive/ negative) - 70 mV +40 mV
More concentrated More concentrated
Sodium ions are…
outside inside
More concentrated More concentrated
Potassium ions are…
inside outside
Membrane proteins used Sodium potassium Voltage-gated
(voltage-gated sodium channels or sodium potassium pump?) pumps sodium channels

6. A synapse is a junction between neurons. This is a small gap between the terminal end of
the presynaptic neuron and the dendritic end of the postsynaptic neuron. The electrical
signal of the action potential is converted to a chemical signal, which passes across the
synapse and stimulates an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. Whew.
a. Label these features of the synapse.

A Neural Signal

B Mitochondria

C Synaptic Vesicles
 D Neurotransmitters

E Ca2+ channels

F Reuptake pump

G Neuroreceptors

H Na+ channels

b. Explain the process of synaptic transmission, referring to all of the labeled structures
above.
● AP reaches terminal end of presynaptic neuron
● This causes voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to open
● Ca2+ enters presynaptic neuron and signals to neurotransmitter vesicles
● Neurotransmitter vesicles move to the membrane and release
neurotransmitters via exocytosis
● Neurotransmitters travel through synaptic cleft and dock at neuroreceptors
● This causes voltage-gated Na+ channels to open
● Signal is initiated at postsynaptic neuron

c. Explain the need for high numbers of mitochondria in the presynaptic neuron.
Mitochondria contain ATP, which is needed for the different channels responsible for
resting and action potentials in the neurons.

d. Predict the effect of a drug which acts as a competitive inhibitor of a neurotransmitter.

Competitive inhibitors are substances that bind to the same sites as the
neurotransmitter. This would prevent signals from properly moving between neurons,
as drugs would block the binding sites, thus preventing the neurotransmitters from
initiating a neural signal in the postsynaptic neuron.

7. Define the following.

Endocrine system The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce
 hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue
function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other
things
Hormone A hormone is a chemical messenger that is secreted (or released) into
our bloodstream by specific organs known as glands.
Gland A gland is a group of cells in an animal's body that synthesizes
substances for release into the bloodstream
Target cell Any cell that has a specific receptor for an antigen or antibody or
hormone or drug, or is the focus of contact by a virus or phagocyte or
nerve fiber etc.
Homeostasis Homeostasis is the ability to maintain a constant internal environment
in response to environmental changes. It is a unifying principle of
biology.
Negative feedback Negative feedback is a reaction that causes a decrease in function. It
occurs in response to some kind of stimulus

8. State the function of the following hormones

Insulin Lower blood sugar levels by converting glucose into glycogen

Glucagon Raise blood sugar levels by converting glycogen into glucose
Adrenalin Initiate quick reaction/ response to a stimuli by increased metabolic rate
and dilation of blood vessels
Testosterone Develop male reproductive organs; promote secondary sexual
characteristics
FSH Stimulate follicular growth; stimulate estrogen secretion
LH Formation of a corpus luteum
Oestrogen Thicken endometrium; inhibit FSH and LH most of the cycle, and stimulate
their release pre-ovulation
Progesterone Thicken endometrium; inhibit FSH and LH
HCG Keep the corpus luteum functioning, so that the corpus luteum continues
to produce estrogen and progesterone.
Oxytocin Contraction of uterus and lactation

9. List five internal conditions in the human body maintained through homeostasis.
- Temperature
- Glucose levels
- pH
- Toxins
- Blood pressure

10. Explain how homeostasis is based on a system of negative feedback control.

- Homeostasis is the tendency to resist changes in order to maintain a stable and relatively
constant internal environment. It is based on a negative feedback control, as the body tries
to regain the normal environment after it has been exposed to a stimuli. For example, when
 our body temperature is too far from the normal 37 degrees Celsius, our body will
undertake different processes (like sweating) to return to that temperature.

11. Complete the flowchart below to show how the hypothalamus controls body temperature
through hormones. What are the body’s responses?

Temperature below normal Temperatures above normal

Blood vessels contract Blood vessels dilate
No sweat Sweat to lose heat
Muscles contract (shivering) to Thyroxin release is inhibited to
create heat decrease metabolic rate and
Thyroxin is released to reduce temperature
increase metabolic rate and
generate heat

12. Blood glucose levels are maintained by hormones produced in the pancreas.
Complete the table to show glucoregulation.

High Blood Sugar Low Blood Sugar

Pancreatic cells used Beta cells Alpha cells
…which secrete… Insulin Glucagon
… carried in blood to…. Liver and adipose tissue Liver and adipose tissue
… causing conversion
Glucose Glycogen
of..
… to … Glycogen Glucose
Overall effect: Glucose removed from blood Glucose released into blood

13. Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which regulation of blood glucose is difficult.

Distinguish between type I and type II diabetes.

Type I Type II
Cause Destruction of B cells Down-regulation of insulin
 receptors
Body doesn't produce enough Body doesn’t respond to insulin
Effect
insulin production
Family history, Genetics,
Risk factors Weight, Inactivity, Age
Environmental Factors

Treatment Insulin injections Diet

14. Explain how we can tell from this table that the patient is diabetic.

The glucose levels in plasma and urine are not very different. Only 50% of glucose was reclaimed by
the body; the other half didn’t undergo glycogenesis. This means that the level of blood glucose is
too high, and insulin isn’t working properly (whether because it isn’t being produced or the body
isn’t responding to it).

15. Distinguish between nerves and hormones.

Nerves Hormones
Direct from coordinator to Hormones released are carried
Route
effector through blood.

Signal type Chemical Chemical

Time to take
Response is rapid and brief Slow, long acting response
action

Duration of
Short duration Long duration
effects

16. Identify the part of the brain are nerve impulses converted to hormonal signals.
The pituitary gland, located in the hypothalamus, in the base of the brain is in charge of releasing
impulses that are then converted into hormonal signals.
 17. Complete the steps below to show how the nervous and endocrine systems work
together to regulate body temperature.

Stimulus Too cold

Sensory Hypothalamus
neuron
Relay TRH

Effector Pituitary Gland

Hormone 1 TSH

Gland Thyroid Gland

Target cells Thyroid

Effect Release of Thyroid hormone

Target cells Liver

Effect Increase metabolic rate

Data-based question practice, from the QuestionBank CDRom

18. The sense of taste is normally caused by the stimulation of chemoreceptors in the
taste buds of the tongue. There are four main 'tastes': sweet, salty, bitter and sour.
The tongue also has receptors for temperature. It is known that the taste of food can
vary according to whether it is cold, warm or hot. Scientists discovered that just
warming or cooling parts of the tongue, even when no food was present, also caused
a sensation of taste.

Scientists experimented with a group of people. They gradually cooled the tips of their
tongues and measured the intensity of the taste felt by each member of the group.
The experiment was repeated, this time warming the tip of the tongue. The graphs
show the average values for the group.
 [Source: modified from Cruz and Green, Nature (2003) 403, page 889]

(a) Identify which taste was felt most strongly when the tip of the tongue was

(i) cooled: Sour

(ii) warmed: Sweet

(1)

(b) Compare the effects on the taste of sweetness, of warming and cooling the tip of
the tongue.

- Warming causes a greater sensation of sweetness than cooling.

- As the tip of the tongue got warmer, the sensation of sweetness increased, but as it
cooled down the sensation decreased.
- When cooling the tongue sweetness became undetectable, when warming it
sweetness became more detectable

(2)

(c) It is important that such experiments use a population sample that is

representative. Suggest two biological criteria the scientists would have used to
select the people to be tested.

- Taste sensitivity
- Smoker (or non-smoker)

(1)
(d) Explain whether cooling or warming the tip of the tongue has the greater effect
on the sensation of taste.

Cooling the tip of the tongue has the greater effect on the sensation of taste because
sour and salty are weakly detectable compared with sweet taste when warmed. The
responses of then tongue when cooled show the greatest changes.

(2)

The scientists discovered that there were two types of chemoreceptor in the tongue tip.
They called these A and B. They tested these chemoreceptors using solutions of sucrose
to find out the type of taste and the intensity felt. The results are shown in the bar
chart.

(e) Compare the effects of sucrose on the A and B chemoreceptors by giving two
similarities and two differences.

Similarities
● Both A and B results for sweetness are detectable
● Both A and B have a higher taste intensity felt for sweetness

Differences
● A chemoreceptors have a higher sensation of sweetness than B
chemoreceptors
● B chemoreceptors have a higher sensation of sourness than A
chemoreceptors

(4)

(Total 10 marks)
Works Cited
1. Taylor, Stephen. Nerves, Hormones and Homeostasis (presentation). Science Video Resources.
[Online] Wordpress, 2010. http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com/bis-ib-diploma-programme-
biology/06-human-health-physiology/nerves-hormones-homeostasis/.
2. Allott, Andrew. IB Study Guide: Biology for the IB Diploma. s.l. : Oxford University Press, 2007.
978-0-19-915143-1.
3. Mindorff, D and Allott, A. Biology Course Companion. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2007.
978-099151240.
4. Clegg, CJ. Biology for the IB Diploma. London : Hodder Murray, 2007. 978-0340926529.
5. Campbell N., Reece J., Taylor M., Simon. E. Biology Concepts and Connections. San Francisco :
Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2006. 0-8053-7160-5.
6. Burrell, John. Click4Biology. [Online] 2010. http://click4biology.info/.
7. IBO. Biology Subject Guide. [Online] 2007.
http://xmltwo.ibo.org/publications/migrated/production-
app2.ibo.org/publication/7/part/2/chapter/1.html.