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Synapses: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on Synapses (specification points 8.4), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,749 questions

  1. Q8(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marksSynapses
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 8(i): Describe the role of a neurotransmitter (paragraph 15). (2)

  2. Q8(j)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    3 marksSynapses
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 8(j): Explain how adenosine affects neural activity in the hippocampus (paragraph 15). (3)

  3. Q9(b)

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    6 marksNeurones and nerve impulsesSynapses
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 9(b): Conus is a predatory marine snail. It uses a neurotoxin, conotoxin, to paralyse the muscles of its prey. The neurotoxins conotoxin and TTX work in different way

  4. Q4(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    3 marksSynapsesHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 4(b): One of the poisons in the berries can bind to acetylcholine receptors on the surface membrane of cells in the SAN. This prevents acetylcholine binding to the re

  5. Q6(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marksSynapses
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 6(b): The junction between the end of a motor neurone and a muscle myofibril is a modified synapse. The diagram shows this neuromuscular junction. motor neurone axon

  6. Q10(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    4 marksSynapses
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 10(b)(i): The transmission of an impulse between a neurone in the optic nerve and a cell in the brain involves ions and neurotransmitter molecules. Describe how these ion

  7. Q9(a)(i)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    3 marksSynapses
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 9(a)(i): Explain how nicotine causes an action potential in the post-synaptic neurone that releases noradrenaline. (3)

  8. Q9(a)(ii)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    1 markSynapses
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 9(a)(ii): State how an increase in calcium ion uptake by the neurone leads to the release of noradrenaline. (1)

  9. Q7(g)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    4 marksSynapses
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 7(g): ‘A cytokine produced by immune cells in the meninges can change the activity of neurons, thereby altering the function of the circuit’ (paragraph 20). Cytokine

  10. Q7(b)

    June 2018 · Paper 3

    4 marksSynapses
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 3, question 7(b): The reward system in humans involves the neurotransmitter dopamine pathway (paragraph 7). Describe how dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter. (4)
All 10 questions on Synapses, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 3, Q8(i) (2 marks): Describe the role of a neurotransmitter (paragraph 15). (2)
  2. June 2025, Paper 3, Q8(j) (3 marks): Explain how adenosine affects neural activity in the hippocampus (paragraph 15). (3)
  3. June 2024, Paper 2, Q9(b) (6 marks): Conus is a predatory marine snail. It uses a neurotoxin, conotoxin, to paralyse the muscles of its prey. The neurotoxins conotoxin and TTX work in different way
  4. June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(b) (3 marks): One of the poisons in the berries can bind to acetylcholine receptors on the surface membrane of cells in the SAN. This prevents acetylcholine binding to the re
  5. June 2022, Paper 2, Q6(b) (2 marks): The junction between the end of a motor neurone and a muscle myofibril is a modified synapse. The diagram shows this neuromuscular junction. motor neurone axon
  6. November 2021, Paper 2, Q10(b)(i) (4 marks): The transmission of an impulse between a neurone in the optic nerve and a cell in the brain involves ions and neurotransmitter molecules. Describe how these ion
  7. October 2020, Paper 2, Q9(a)(i) (3 marks): Explain how nicotine causes an action potential in the post-synaptic neurone that releases noradrenaline. (3)
  8. October 2020, Paper 2, Q9(a)(ii) (1 mark): State how an increase in calcium ion uptake by the neurone leads to the release of noradrenaline. (1)
  9. October 2020, Paper 3, Q7(g) (4 marks): ‘A cytokine produced by immune cells in the meninges can change the activity of neurons, thereby altering the function of the circuit’ (paragraph 20). Cytokine
  10. June 2018, Paper 3, Q7(b) (4 marks): The reward system in humans involves the neurotransmitter dopamine pathway (paragraph 7). Describe how dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter. (4)

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