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Brain chemicals and drugs: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on Brain chemicals and drugs (specification points 8.14–8.15), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,749 questions

  1. Q6(a)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    4 marksBrain chemicals and drugs
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 6(a)(i): Explain how MDMA changes the rate of transmission of nerve impulses across serotonin synapses. (4)

  2. Q6(a)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    3 marksBrain chemicals and drugs
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 6(a)(ii): The effect of MDMA on the behaviour of mice has been investigated. Mice were provided with access to two buttons, an MDMA button and a control button. When they

  3. Q2(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    3 marksBrain chemicals and drugs
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 2(b)(i): Explain why inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase could be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. (3)

  4. Q2(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    3 marksBrain chemicals and drugs
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 2(b)(ii): Trials of a new inhibitor were carried out using tissue cultures. The effect of the concentration of the inhibitor on acetylcholinesterase activity and cell via

  5. Q7(b)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    2 marksBrain chemicals and drugs
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 7(b): ‘Most drugs cannot easily penetrate the brain’ (paragraph 3). Explain how the treatment of Parkinson’s disease overcomes the difficulty of drugs passing from th

  6. Q1(a)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    2 marksBrain chemicals and drugs
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 1(a): Describe how low serotonin levels in an individual can affect the transmission of impulses in their brain. (2)

  7. Q1(b)(i)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    2 marksBrain chemicals and drugs
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 1(b)(i): Describe how the use of MDMA could affect the transmission of impulses in the brain. (2)

  8. Q1(b)(ii)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    2 marksBrain chemicals and drugs
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 1(b)(ii): Individuals who use MDMA may develop the symptoms of depression. Explain how the use of MDMA could result in the development of these symptoms. (2)
All 8 questions on Brain chemicals and drugs, as a list
  1. June 2024, Paper 3, Q6(a)(i) (4 marks): Explain how MDMA changes the rate of transmission of nerve impulses across serotonin synapses. (4)
  2. June 2024, Paper 3, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): The effect of MDMA on the behaviour of mice has been investigated. Mice were provided with access to two buttons, an MDMA button and a control button. When they
  3. November 2021, Paper 3, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain why inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase could be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. (3)
  4. November 2021, Paper 3, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Trials of a new inhibitor were carried out using tissue cultures. The effect of the concentration of the inhibitor on acetylcholinesterase activity and cell via
  5. October 2020, Paper 3, Q7(b) (2 marks): ‘Most drugs cannot easily penetrate the brain’ (paragraph 3). Explain how the treatment of Parkinson’s disease overcomes the difficulty of drugs passing from th
  6. June 2017, Paper 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): Describe how low serotonin levels in an individual can affect the transmission of impulses in their brain. (2)
  7. June 2017, Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe how the use of MDMA could affect the transmission of impulses in the brain. (2)
  8. June 2017, Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Individuals who use MDMA may develop the symptoms of depression. Explain how the use of MDMA could result in the development of these symptoms. (2)

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