A2 Biology Exam Doctor NERVOUS COORDINATION

Question Question Question 1 2 3

A2 Biology Exam Doctor NERVOUS COORDINATION QUESTION 1

The diagram below shows a recording of an action potential passing along a nerve axon.

(a) (i) What is meant by the term threshold stimulus? [1] (ii) By means of an arrow, indicate on the diagram the probable time when the stimulus was applied. (iii) What is the state of the axon membrane from A to B? [1]

[1] (b) (i) Describe the changes that are occurring in the axon during the period B to D. [2]

The diagram below shows a recording of an action potential passing along a nerve axon.

(a) (i) What is meant by the term threshold stimulus? he intensity of stimulus needed to get a nerve impulse generate [1]

(ii) By means of an arrow, indicate on the diagram the probable time when the stimulus was applied. [1] (iii) What is the state of the axon membrane from A to B? [1] Resting. (b) (i) Describe the changes that are occurring in the axon during the period B to D. mbrane becomes permeable to sodium ions and they rush in. e inside becomes positively charged. [2]

The diagram below shows a recording of an action potential passing along a nerve axon. (a) (i) What is meant by the term threshold stimulus? [1] (ii) By means of an arrow, indicate on the diagram the probable time when the stimulus was applied. [1] (iii) What is the state of the axon membrane from A to B? [1] (b) (i) Describe the changes that are occurring in the axon during the period B to D. [2] MARK SCHEME (a)(i) the smallest stimulus that is capable of setting up an action potential; (ii) put arrow on or near to 0.7 millisecond; (iii) at the resting potential; 1 1 1

(b)(i) stimulus makes axon membrane become permeable to sodium ions; these flood into the axon along the diffusion gradient; thus polarity of membrane reverses to give action potential; max 2 TOTAL 5

The diagram below shows a recording of an action potential passing along a nerve axon.
It isnt instantaneous

Need minimum

(a) (i) What is meant by the term threshold stimulus? he intensity of stimulus needed to get a nerve impulse generate Not precise enough, need reference to action potential. [1] (ii) By means of an arrow, indicate on the diagram the probable time when the stimulus was applied. [1] (iii) What is the state of the axon membrane from A to B? mark. The student clearly knows what is Resting. A wastedanswering the questions carefully enough.going on but isnt [1]

(b) (i) Explain the changes that are occurring in the axon during the period B to D. Why? mbrane becomes permeable MP 1 to sodium ions and they rush in. e inside becomes positively charged. what? Need to mention diffusion So Total 1 out of 5 gradient. This is a good example of a student throwing marks away. [2]

A2 Biology Exam Doctor NERVOUS COORDINATION QUESTION 2

The diagram below illustrates the structure of a cholinergic synapse between a voluntary motor nerve ending and the sarcolemma of a striated muscle fibre.

(a) (i) Why do synaptic knobs contain many mitochondria?

(ii) Briefly describe how the arrival of an impulse at the synapse causes depolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane.

[2]

[5]

The diagram below illustrates the structure of a cholinergic synapse between a voluntary motor nerve ending and the sarcolemma of a striated muscle fibre.

(a) (i) Why do synaptic knobs contain many mitochondria? To make ATP to provide energy for making transmitter substances like acetylcholine. (ii) Briefly describe how the arrival of an impulse at the synapse causes depolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane. The vesicles release their transmitter substances (acetylcholine) out of the presynaptic membrane. The acetylcholine diffuses across the gap and causes the membrane the sarcolemma to change. If there is enough acetylcholine the [2]

[5]

The diagram below illustrates the structure of a cholinergic synapse between a voluntary motor nerve ending and the sarcolemma of a striated muscle fibre. (a) (i) Why do synaptic knobs contain many mitochondria? [2] (ii) Briefly describe how the arrival of an impulse at the synapse causes depolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane. [5] MARK SCHEME (a)(i) provide ATP; to provide energy for active absorption of acetate/choline into the knobs; for combining acetate and choline/to make acetylcholine/synthesis of acetylcholine; max 2 (ii) calcium ions enter synaptic knobs; and attract vesicles to the pre-synaptic membrane; these fuse with the membrane and release acetylcholine; this attaches to receptors on post synaptic membrane; making it become permeable to sodium ions; these rush into the muscle fibre along the concentration gradient; this alters the potential across the sarcolemma/membrane resulting in an action potential; max 5 TOTAL 7

The diagram below illustrates the structure of a cholinergic synapse between a voluntary motor nerve ending and the sarcolemma of a striated muscle fibre.

(a) (i) Why do synaptic knobs contain many mitochondria?

To make ATP to provide energy for making Good concise answer transmitter substances like acetylcholine. with two MP 3
separate points well made.

MP 1

(ii) Briefly describe how the arrival of an impulse at the synapse causes Lacking in detail depolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane.
The student has forgotten, or does not know about the role of calcium ions

[2]

Total

The vesicles release their transmitter substances (acetylcholine) out of the preGreat! But how? synaptic membrane. The acetylcholine diffuses across the gap and causes the Disappointing after a good start. membrane the sarcolemma todemand precise detail, vague change. Questions on this topic [5] If 2 out of 7 there is enough acetylcholine the Too vague! descriptions of membranes changing are no use.

here, they fuse with the membrane

A2 Biology Exam Doctor NERVOUS COORDINATION QUESTION 3

Read through the following passage on neurones and nerve impulses and then fill in the spaces with the most appropriate word or words. The nervous system contains several types of neurones. impulses to muscles and glands but neurones carry neurones carry impulses from

receptors to the central nervous system. The interior of a resting nerve fibre has a lower concentration of ions than its surroundings, due to the actions of a in its membrane. This leads to a resting potential on the

inside relative to the outside. Depolarisation occurs when the membrane permeability is changed by a reaches a allowing ions to flood in. If the depolarisation . In some

value it is propagated along the fibre as an allows the depolarisation to jump between

fibres an insulating layer of making impulse transmission much release of an inflow of

. Impulses are propagated across synapses by

from vesicles in the synaptic knobs. This release is triggered by ions. [14]

Read through the following passage on neurones and nerve impulses and then fill in the spaces with the most appropriate word or words. The nervous system contains several types of neurones. impulses to muscles and glands but sodium sensory Motor neurones carry

neurones carry impulses from

receptors to the central nervous system. The interior of a resting nerve fibre has a lower concentration of ions than its surroundings, due to the actions of a

in its membrane. This leads to a pum large resting potential on the p inside relative to the outside. Depolarisation occurs when the membrane permeability is changed by a stimul allowing potassiu ions to flood in. If the depolarisation m us reaches a critica value it is propagated along the fibre as an axon . In some l potential fibres an insulating layer of mylin allows the depolarisation to jump between node s making impulse transmission much quick . Impulses are propagated across synapses by er release of hormo from vesicles in the synaptic knobs. This release is triggered by nes an inflow of sodiu ions. [14] m

Read through the following passage on neurones and nerve impulses and then fill in the spaces with the most appropriate word or words. MARK SCHEME The nervous system contains several types of neurones. Motor; neurones carry impulses to muscles and glands but sodium; sensory; neurones carry impulses from

receptors to the central nervous system. The interior of a resting nerve fibre has a lower concentration of sodium pump; ions than its surroundings, due to the actions of a negative; resting potential on the

in its membrane. This leads to a stimulus; allowing sodium;

inside relative to the outside. Depolarisation occurs when the membrane permeability is changed by a ions to flood in. If the depolarisation nodes; reaches a threshold; value it is propagated along the fibre as an action potential; some . In fibres an insulating layer of myelin; allows the depolarisation to jump between faster; . Impulses are propagated across synapses by

making impulse transmission much

release of acetylcholine/eq;from vesicles in the synaptic knobs. This release is triggered by an inflow of calcium; ions. [14]

Read through the following passage on neurones and nerve impulses and then fill in the spaces with the most appropriate word or words. The nervous system contains several types of neurones. impulses to muscles and glands but sensory Motor neurones carry

neurones carry impulses from

receptors to the central nervous system. The interior of a resting nerve fibre has a lower
Specifically need sodium pump.

concentration of

sodium

ions than its surroundings, due to the actions of a

Negative required.

in its membrane. This leads to a pum large resting potential on the p inside relative to the outside. Depolarisation occurs when the membrane permeability is
Sodium

changed by a stimul allowing potassiu ions to flood in. If the depolarisation Action not axon. Threshold/minimum value wanted. m us reaches a critica value it is propagated along the fibre as an axon . In some Accepted wrong spelling. potential l mylin allows the depolarisation to jump between fibres an insulating layer of node s making impulse transmission much quick Impulses are propagated across synapses by . er release of hormo from vesicles in the synaptic knobs. This release is triggered by nes Need acetylcholine/nor-adrenaline/ an inflow of sodiu ions. [14] m transmitter substance.
Total 7 out of 14 Calcium ions are involved here.