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The human nervous system: AQA GCSE Combined Science questions

Every AQA GCSE Combined Science exam question on 4.5.2 The human nervous system, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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3,069 questions

  1. Q06.9

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 06.9: The scientists gave the hypothesis: ‘Optimum blood glucose concentration increases the production of chemicals that diffuse across synapses.’ Describe how an in

  2. Q03.1

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.1: Suggest why fast reactions are important for car drivers. [1 mark]

  3. Q03.2

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    3 marks4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.2: Draw one line from each type of variable to the example of that variable in the investigation. [3 marks] Figure 4 is repeated below. Figure 4

  4. Q03.3

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.3: A student said: ‘It would be better to use a ruler showing millimetres instead of the card in Figure 4.’ Why is the student correct? [1 mark] Tick () one box.

  5. Q03.4

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.4: Student A had 8 hours and 30 minutes of sleep and a reaction score of 3 Plot the result for student A on Figure 6. [1 mark]

  6. Q03.5

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.5: The mean number of hours of sleep for all students was 7.4 What was the mode for the number of hours of sleep? [1 mark] Mode = hours

  7. Q03.6

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.6: A lower reaction score means a faster reaction. What was the effect of increasing the number of hours of sleep on reaction time? Use Figure 6. [1 mark] Tick ()

  8. Q03.7

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.7: Suggest two ways the students could improve the investigation. Do not refer to using a ruler in your answer. [2 marks] 1 2

  9. Q03.8

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    3 marks4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.8: Motor neurones are involved in reactions. Figure 7 shows a motor neurone. Figure 7 Explain one way the motor neurone cell is adapted for its function. [3 marks]

  10. Q02.1

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    3 marks4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.1: Table 1 shows some variables in this investigation. Table 1 Variable Independent variable Dependent variable Control variable Distractions from background sound

  11. Q02.2

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system4.5.1 Homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.2: How could the method be improved? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Measure the reaction time with a stopwatch. Only test reaction time to seeing a colour change. Repe

  12. Q02.3

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system4.5.1 Homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.3: A shorter reaction time means the student reacted faster. The student reacted faster as each test was repeated. Suggest one reason why the student’s reactions g

  13. Q02.4

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.5.2 The human nervous system4.5.1 Homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.4: Complete Figure 2. You should: • plot the data from Table 2 as a bar chart • label each bar • label the y-axis. [2 marks] Figure 2

  14. Q02.5

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system4.5.1 Homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.5: Compare the reaction time when seeing the stimulus with the reaction time when hearing the stimulus. [1 mark]

  15. Q05.1

    November 2021 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 05.1: Suggest one control variable the students should have used in the investigation. Do not refer to age or sex in your answer. [1 mark]

  16. Q05.2

    November 2021 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 05.2: Suggest two sources of random error when using this method to measure a person’s reaction time. [2 marks] 1 2 Table 1 shows the results. Table 1 Student pair De

  17. Q05.3

    November 2021 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 05.3: Why can a mode not be determined for the data in Table 1? [1 mark]

  18. Q05.4

    November 2021 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 05.4: The students decided the result from pair 8 was anomalous. The students calculated that the mean decrease in reaction time was 0.030 seconds. Describe how the s

  19. Q05.5

    November 2021 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    4 marks4.5.3 Hormonal coordination in humans4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 05.5: Caffeine causes the release of adrenaline. Adrenaline affects heart rate. Explain how the effect of adrenaline on heart rate might cause reaction time to decrea

  20. Q05.6

    November 2021 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.5.2 The human nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 05.6: Label X shows the gap between the sensory neurone and the relay neurone. What is the name of the gap labelled X? [1 mark]
All 55 questions on The human nervous system, as a list
  1. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q06.9 (2 marks): The scientists gave the hypothesis: ‘Optimum blood glucose concentration increases the production of chemicals that diffuse across synapses.’ Describe how an in
  2. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.1 (1 mark): Suggest why fast reactions are important for car drivers. [1 mark]
  3. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.2 (3 marks): Draw one line from each type of variable to the example of that variable in the investigation. [3 marks] Figure 4 is repeated below. Figure 4
  4. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.3 (1 mark): A student said: ‘It would be better to use a ruler showing millimetres instead of the card in Figure 4.’ Why is the student correct? [1 mark] Tick () one box.
  5. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.4 (1 mark): Student A had 8 hours and 30 minutes of sleep and a reaction score of 3 Plot the result for student A on Figure 6. [1 mark]
  6. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.5 (1 mark): The mean number of hours of sleep for all students was 7.4 What was the mode for the number of hours of sleep? [1 mark] Mode = hours
  7. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.6 (1 mark): A lower reaction score means a faster reaction. What was the effect of increasing the number of hours of sleep on reaction time? Use Figure 6. [1 mark] Tick ()
  8. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.7 (2 marks): Suggest two ways the students could improve the investigation. Do not refer to using a ruler in your answer. [2 marks] 1 2
  9. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.8 (3 marks): Motor neurones are involved in reactions. Figure 7 shows a motor neurone. Figure 7 Explain one way the motor neurone cell is adapted for its function. [3 marks]
  10. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.1 (3 marks): Table 1 shows some variables in this investigation. Table 1 Variable Independent variable Dependent variable Control variable Distractions from background sound
  11. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.2 (1 mark): How could the method be improved? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Measure the reaction time with a stopwatch. Only test reaction time to seeing a colour change. Repe
  12. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.3 (1 mark): A shorter reaction time means the student reacted faster. The student reacted faster as each test was repeated. Suggest one reason why the student’s reactions g
  13. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.4 (2 marks): Complete Figure 2. You should: • plot the data from Table 2 as a bar chart • label each bar • label the y-axis. [2 marks] Figure 2
  14. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.5 (1 mark): Compare the reaction time when seeing the stimulus with the reaction time when hearing the stimulus. [1 mark]
  15. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.1 (1 mark): Suggest one control variable the students should have used in the investigation. Do not refer to age or sex in your answer. [1 mark]
  16. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.2 (2 marks): Suggest two sources of random error when using this method to measure a person’s reaction time. [2 marks] 1 2 Table 1 shows the results. Table 1 Student pair De
  17. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.3 (1 mark): Why can a mode not be determined for the data in Table 1? [1 mark]
  18. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.4 (1 mark): The students decided the result from pair 8 was anomalous. The students calculated that the mean decrease in reaction time was 0.030 seconds. Describe how the s
  19. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.5 (4 marks): Caffeine causes the release of adrenaline. Adrenaline affects heart rate. Explain how the effect of adrenaline on heart rate might cause reaction time to decrea
  20. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.6 (1 mark): Label X shows the gap between the sensory neurone and the relay neurone. What is the name of the gap labelled X? [1 mark]
  21. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.7 (2 marks): Suggest why reaction time decreases when caffeine binds to adenosine receptors. [2 marks]
  22. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.1 (1 mark): What is the dependent variable in the investigation? [1 mark] Tick () one box. The coffee containing caffeine The number of students The reaction time
  23. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.2 (2 marks): Give two control variables the students should have used. [2 marks] 1 2
  24. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.3 (1 mark): Why did the students wait 15 minutes after drinking the coffee before repeating the test? [1 mark]
  25. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.4 (1 mark): Responding to the colour change of the screen involves a receptor in the student. Where is the receptor in the student? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Ear Eye Skin
  26. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.5 (1 mark): Responding to the colour change of the screen involves an effector in the student. What is the effector in the student? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Brain Gland M
  27. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.6 (1 mark): What is the effect of drinking coffee on reaction time? Use Table 1. [1 mark]
  28. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.7 (1 mark): Which student had the smallest change in reaction time after drinking coffee? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Student 1 Student 2 Student 3 Student 4 Student 5
  29. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.8 (1 mark): The students decided that one of the results was anomalous. What should the students do with the anomalous result when calculating the mean change in reaction t
  30. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.1 (4 marks): Reflex actions help to protect the body against damage. Figure 2 shows the nervous pathway for a reflex action. Figure 2 A stimulus from the hot pan will cause
  31. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.2 (4 marks): A student investigated whether using the right hand or the left hand had an effect on reaction time. The student only tested right-handed people. Describe a met
  32. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.3 (2 marks): Calculate mean value X in Table 1. [2 marks] X = seconds
  33. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.4 (1 mark): What is the dependent variable in the student’s investigation? [1 mark] The student concluded: ‘Playing tennis improves reaction time.’
  34. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.5 (1 mark): Give one piece of evidence which supports the conclusion. [1 mark]
  35. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.6 (1 mark): Give one piece of evidence which does not support the conclusion. [1 mark]
  36. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.1 (4 marks): Reflex actions help to protect the body against damage. Figure 8 shows the nervous pathway for a reflex action. Figure 8 A stimulus from the hot pan will cause
  37. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.2 (4 marks): A student investigated whether using the right hand or the left hand had an effect on reaction time. The student only tested right-handed people. Describe a met
  38. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.3 (2 marks): Calculate mean value X in Table 2. [2 marks] X = seconds
  39. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.4 (1 mark): What is the dependent variable in the student’s investigation? [1 mark] The student concluded: ‘Playing tennis improves reaction time.’
  40. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.5 (1 mark): Give one piece of evidence which supports the conclusion. [1 mark]
  41. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.6 (1 mark): Give one piece of evidence which does not support the conclusion. [1 mark]
  42. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.1 (3 marks): Describe how to do the ruler-drop test. [3 marks]
  43. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.2 (1 mark): Table 1 shows the mass of caffeine taken in by each student. Table 1 Group Mass of caffeine in mg A 0 B 64.5 C 129.0 D X Calculate value X. [1 mark] X = mg
  44. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.3 (1 mark): Why did group A drink water instead of the caffeine drink? [1 mark] Table 2 was used to convert the results of the ruler-drop test into reaction times. Table 2
  45. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.4 (1 mark): Estimate the reaction time for a student who recorded a distance of 23 cm [1 mark] Reaction time = s
  46. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.5 (1 mark): Describe the effect of the mass of caffeine taken in on the decrease in reaction time. [1 mark]
  47. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.6 (1 mark): For three students the decrease in reaction time was negative. Give the reason why the value was negative. [1 mark]
  48. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.7 (1 mark): What is the range of results for group C? [1 mark]
  49. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.8 (2 marks): Suggest two variables that should have been controlled in this investigation. [2 marks] 1 2
  50. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.9 (2 marks): Explain why the ruler-drop test does not involve a reflex action. [2 marks]
  51. June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.1 (2 marks): Name parts P and Q shown on Figure 3 [2 marks] P Q
  52. June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.2 (2 marks): Compare how information is transferred along a neurone with how information is transferred across gap P. [2 marks]
  53. June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.3 (1 mark): Why does a conscious action take longer than a reflex action? [1 mark]
  54. June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.4 (3 marks): Information travels at 120 metres per second in neurones. Calculate the time it would take for the information to travel 1.6 m along a neurone. Give your answer
  55. June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.5 (2 marks): Doctors tested people of different ages to time how long it took between touching a sharp pin and the arm muscle contracting. Table 3 shows the results. Table 3

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