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Nervous coordination: AQA A‑Level Biology questions

Every AQA A-Level Biology exam question on 3.6.2 Nervous coordination, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,383 questions

  1. Q06.1

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 06.1: Figure 2 shows a drawing of a myelinated motor neurone. Figure 2 Name the parts labelled A to D. [2 marks] A B C D

  2. Q06.2

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 06.2: Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) results in destruction of the myelin sheath of neurones in the brain. ODS can increase reflex response times. Explain why.

  3. Q01.1

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 01.1: Name the parts labelled A to D. [2 marks] A B C D

  4. Q01.2

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    4 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination3.6.3 Skeletal muscles are stimulated to contract by nerves and act as effectors
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 01.2: Following the release of acetylcholine into a neuromuscular junction, a muscle contraction occurs. Describe the sequence of events, following the release of ace

  5. Q01.3

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 01.3: Inhibitory synapses cause hyperpolarisation in postsynaptic neurones. Explain how this inhibits synaptic transmission. [2 marks]

  6. Q02.1

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    5 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 02.1: Glutamate is a neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of nerve impulses from pain receptors to the brain. Ziconotide is a drug that can reduce severe, co

  7. Q02.3

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 02.3: Ziconotide was injected at 3 ng kg–1 h–1 for 8 days into each patient. 1 ng = 1 × 10–9 g Calculate the total mass in grams of ziconotide injected after 8 days i

  8. Q02.4

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 02.4: When the patients recorded the intensity of pain, suggest two reasons why it was important to use a statistically valid scale. [2 marks] 1 2

  9. Q01.1

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    3 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 01.1: Describe how stimulation of a Pacinian corpuscle produces a generator potential. [3 marks]

  10. Q01.2

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 01.2: Use Figure 1 to describe what is meant by the all-or-nothing principle. [2 marks]

  11. Q01.3

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    1 mark3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 01.3: On Figure 1, from 0.6 ms to 4.0 ms, no new generator potential could be produced. What is this time period called? [1 mark]

  12. Q07.1

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 07.1: Give two reasons why transmission across a cholinergic synapse is unidirectional. [2 marks] 1 2

  13. Q07.2

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 07.2: Name and explain the type of summation shown in Figure 4. [2 marks] Type of summation Explanation

  14. Q07.3

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 07.3: Suggest and explain how MG can weaken contraction of muscles. Do not include details of myofibril or muscle contraction in your answer. [2 marks]

  15. Q07.4

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    3 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 07.4: Mestinon can help in the treatment of MG. Explain how. [3 marks]

  16. Q02.1

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 02.1: Name the structures labelled P, Q and R shown in Figure 4. [2 marks] P Q R

  17. Q02.2

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    1 mark3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 02.2: Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the measurement of Trial 1 in Table 3. Put a tick () in the correct box below. [1 mark] 0.633% 1.27% 2.53% 12.6%

  18. Q02.3

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    1 mark3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 02.3: In this investigation, it is not possible for a student to react in less than 45 ms Suggest one explanation for the value recorded in Trial 3 in Table 3. [1 mar

  19. Q02.4

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 02.4: Student A estimated that the length of the nerve pathway involved was 175 cm Use Table 3 and Table 4 to calculate the mean speed of nerve impulse transmission.

  20. Q02.5

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    3 marks3.6.2 Nervous coordination
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 02.5: In response to touch, nerve impulses can be transmitted at speeds of 76.2 m s–1 Suggest three reasons why, in this investigation, the estimated speed of student
All 38 questions on Nervous coordination, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q06.1 (2 marks): Figure 2 shows a drawing of a myelinated motor neurone. Figure 2 Name the parts labelled A to D. [2 marks] A B C D
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q06.2 (3 marks): Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) results in destruction of the myelin sheath of neurones in the brain. ODS can increase reflex response times. Explain why.
  3. June 2024, Paper 2, Q01.1 (2 marks): Name the parts labelled A to D. [2 marks] A B C D
  4. June 2024, Paper 2, Q01.2 (4 marks): Following the release of acetylcholine into a neuromuscular junction, a muscle contraction occurs. Describe the sequence of events, following the release of ace
  5. June 2024, Paper 2, Q01.3 (2 marks): Inhibitory synapses cause hyperpolarisation in postsynaptic neurones. Explain how this inhibits synaptic transmission. [2 marks]
  6. June 2023, Paper 2, Q02.1 (5 marks): Glutamate is a neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of nerve impulses from pain receptors to the brain. Ziconotide is a drug that can reduce severe, co
  7. June 2023, Paper 2, Q02.3 (2 marks): Ziconotide was injected at 3 ng kg–1 h–1 for 8 days into each patient. 1 ng = 1 × 10–9 g Calculate the total mass in grams of ziconotide injected after 8 days i
  8. June 2023, Paper 2, Q02.4 (2 marks): When the patients recorded the intensity of pain, suggest two reasons why it was important to use a statistically valid scale. [2 marks] 1 2
  9. June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.1 (3 marks): Describe how stimulation of a Pacinian corpuscle produces a generator potential. [3 marks]
  10. June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.2 (2 marks): Use Figure 1 to describe what is meant by the all-or-nothing principle. [2 marks]
  11. June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.3 (1 mark): On Figure 1, from 0.6 ms to 4.0 ms, no new generator potential could be produced. What is this time period called? [1 mark]
  12. June 2022, Paper 2, Q07.1 (2 marks): Give two reasons why transmission across a cholinergic synapse is unidirectional. [2 marks] 1 2
  13. June 2022, Paper 2, Q07.2 (2 marks): Name and explain the type of summation shown in Figure 4. [2 marks] Type of summation Explanation
  14. June 2022, Paper 2, Q07.3 (2 marks): Suggest and explain how MG can weaken contraction of muscles. Do not include details of myofibril or muscle contraction in your answer. [2 marks]
  15. June 2022, Paper 2, Q07.4 (3 marks): Mestinon can help in the treatment of MG. Explain how. [3 marks]
  16. June 2022, Paper 3, Q02.1 (2 marks): Name the structures labelled P, Q and R shown in Figure 4. [2 marks] P Q R
  17. June 2022, Paper 3, Q02.2 (1 mark): Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the measurement of Trial 1 in Table 3. Put a tick () in the correct box below. [1 mark] 0.633% 1.27% 2.53% 12.6%
  18. June 2022, Paper 3, Q02.3 (1 mark): In this investigation, it is not possible for a student to react in less than 45 ms Suggest one explanation for the value recorded in Trial 3 in Table 3. [1 mar
  19. June 2022, Paper 3, Q02.4 (2 marks): Student A estimated that the length of the nerve pathway involved was 175 cm Use Table 3 and Table 4 to calculate the mean speed of nerve impulse transmission.
  20. June 2022, Paper 3, Q02.5 (3 marks): In response to touch, nerve impulses can be transmitted at speeds of 76.2 m s–1 Suggest three reasons why, in this investigation, the estimated speed of student
  21. November 2021, Paper 2, Q02.1 (3 marks): Explain how a resting potential is maintained across the axon membrane in a neurone. [3 marks]
  22. November 2021, Paper 2, Q02.2 (3 marks): Explain why the speed of transmission of impulses is faster along a myelinated axon than along a non-myelinated axon. [3 marks]
  23. November 2021, Paper 2, Q02.3 (3 marks): A scientist investigated the effect of inhibitors on neurones. She added a respiratory inhibitor to a neurone. The resting potential of the neurone changed from
  24. November 2020, Paper 2, Q05 (5 marks): Describe the sequence of events involved in transmission across a cholinergic synapse. Do not include details on the breakdown of acetylcholine in your answer.
  25. June 2019, Paper 2, Q10.1 (3 marks): Damage to the myelin sheath of neurones can cause muscular paralysis (lines 2–4). Explain how. [3 marks]
  26. June 2018, Paper 2, Q07.1 (3 marks): Dopamine is a neurotransmitter released in some synapses in the brain. The transmission of dopamine is similar to that of acetylcholine. Dopamine stimulates the
  27. June 2018, Paper 2, Q07.2 (2 marks): Dopamine has a role in numerous processes in the brain including pain relief. The release of dopamine can be stimulated by chemicals called endorphins produced
  28. June 2018, Paper 2, Q07.3 (3 marks): GABA is a neurotransmitter released in some inhibitory synapses in the brain. GABA causes negatively charged chloride ions to enter postsynaptic neurones. Expla
  29. June 2017, Paper 2, Q10.1 (2 marks): 1 0 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a non-reversible brain disorder that develops over a number of years. At the start of 2014 the number of Americans with AD was e
  30. June 2017, Paper 2, Q10.2 (3 marks): 1 0 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a non-reversible brain disorder that develops over a number of years. At the start of 2014 the number of Americans with AD was e
  31. June 2017, Paper 3, Q01.1 (3 marks): When a nerve impulse arrives at a synapse, it causes the release of neurotransmitter from vesicles in the presynaptic knob. Describe how. [3 marks]
  32. June 2017, Paper 3, Q01.3 (2 marks): This movement of mitochondria happens when nerve impulses arrive at the synapse. Suggest and explain one advantage of the movement of mitochondria towards the p
  33. Specimen, Paper 2, Q04.1 (2 marks): A biologist investigated the stimulation of a Pacinian corpuscle in the skin of a fingertip. She used microelectrodes to measure the maximum membrane potential
  34. Specimen, Paper 2, Q04.2 (3 marks): [ ]
  35. Specimen, Paper 2, Q04.3 (2 marks): The membrane potential at Q was the same whether medium or heavy pressure was applied to the finger tip. Explain why. [2 marks] 0 4 . 3
  36. Specimen, Paper 2, Q04.4 (2 marks): Silkworms secrete silk fibres, which are harvested and used to manufacture silk fabric. Scientists have produced genetically modified (GM) silkworms that contai
  37. Specimen, Paper 2, Q06.3 (2 marks): The KDR plus allele codes for the sodium ion channels found in neurones. When DDT binds to a sodium ion channel, the channel remains open all the time. Use this
  38. Specimen, Paper 3, Q06.2 (25 marks):

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