Q1.

Two students investigated reflex action times.

This is the method used.

1.      Student A sits with his elbow resting on the edge of a table.

2.      Student B holds a ruler with the bottom of the ruler level with the thumb of Student A.

3.      Student B drops the ruler.

4.      Student A catches the ruler and records the distance.

5.      Steps 1 to 4 are then repeated.

The same method was also used with Student A dropping the ruler and Student B catching the
ruler.

(a)     Give two variables the students controlled in their investigation.

1. _________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b)     Figure 1 shows one of the results for the Student A.

Figure 1

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 What is the reading shown in Figure 1?

Reading on ruler = ___________________________ cm

(1)

(c)     Table 1 shows the students’ results.

Table 1
 
Distance ruler dropped in
Test cm
number
Student A Student B

1 9 12

2 2 13

3 6 13

4 7   9

5 7   8

Mean 7   X

Circle the anomalous result in Table 1 for Student A.

(1)

(d)     What is the median result for Student B?

 
Tick one box.  

 8

11

12

13

(1)

(e)     Calculate the value of X in Table 1.

___________________________________________________________________

Mean distance ruler dropped = __________________ cm

(1)

(f)     Figure 2 shows the scale used to convert distance of the ruler drop to reaction time.

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 Figure 2

Calculate how much faster the reaction time of Student A was compared to Student B.

Use Figure 2 and Table 1.

___________________________________________________________________

Answer = _____________ s
(2)

(g)     What improvement could the students make to the method so the results are more valid?
 
Tick one box.  

Use alternate hands when catching the

ruler

Carry out more repeats

Use a longer ruler for catching

Use more than two students to collect

results

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 (1)
(Total 9 marks)

Q2.
This question is about the nervous system.

(a)     Synapses are important in the nervous system.

(i)     What is a synapse?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii)     Describe how information passes across a synapse.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Q3.
Many human actions are reflexes.

(a)  Which two of the following are examples of reflex actions?

Tick two boxes.

 

Jumping in the air to catch a ball

Raising a hand to protect the eyes in bright light

Releasing saliva when food enters the mouth

Running away from danger

Withdrawing the hand from a sharp object

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 (2)

(b)  Figure 2 shows some structures involved in the coordination of a reflex action.

Figure 2

Describe how the structures shown in Figure 2 help to coordinate a reflex action.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________
(6)
(Total 8 marks)

Mark schemes

Q1.
(a)     any two from:
•        drop the ruler from the same height
•        use the same / dominant hand each time
•        thumb same distance from ruler at the start
•        use same type / weight of ruler
•        drop the ruler without any force each time
•        keep arm resting on the edge of the table
2

(b)     8
allow 8.0
1

(c)     2 (in test number 2)

1

(d)     12
1

(e)     (12 + 13 + 13 + 9 + 8 / 5 =) 11
1

(f)     0.15 − 0.12 (s)

1

0.03 (s)
allow 0.03 (s) with no working shown for 2 marks
1

(g)     carry out more repeats

1
[9]

Q2.

(a)     (i)      junction
allow idea of a (small) gap / space
do not allow if implication is that the neurones move
1

between neuron(e)s
allow named types of neurones
1

(ii)     chemical
allow answers in terms of specific types of neurone

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 allow neurotransmitter / named neurotransmitter released
1

any one from:

•        (chemical released) from one neurone
ignore produced
•        (chemical) passes (across synapse) to next neurone to stimulate / cause
(electrical) impulse
allow diffuses for passes (across)
1
[4]

Q3.
(a)  releasing saliva when food enters the mouth
1

withdrawing the hand from a sharp object

1

(e)  Level 2: Scientifically relevant facts, events or processes are identified and given in
detail to form an accurate account.
4−6

Level 1: Facts, events or processes are identified and simply stated but their
relevance is not clear.
1−3

No relevant content
0

Indicative content

•   receptor detects stimulus

•   e.g. receptor detects pressure
•   receptor generates impulses / electrical signals

•   neurones conduct impulses / electrical signals

•   neurone A conducts impulses to spinal cord
•   neurone A = sensory neurone
•   synapse between neurones
•   chemical (/ neurotransmitter) crosses synapse
•   chemical stimulates impulse(s) in neurone B
•   neurone B = relay neurone
•   neurone C = motor neurone

•   effector carries out response

•   e.g. muscles of the arm / leg contract
•   muscles contract or gland secretes chemicals

to access level 2, candidates need to consider, in terms of the indicative content,

the receptor, the neurones and the effector in the correct sequence
[8]

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