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Detection of light by mammals: Edexcel A‑Level Biology B questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology B exam question on 9.7 Detection of light by mammals, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,826 questions

  1. Q9(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 9(a)(i): Draw an arrow on the left of the diagram to show the direction that light travels through the retina. (1)

  2. Q9(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 9(a)(ii): Describe how light absorbed by rhodopsin in a rod cell leads to a change in release of neurotransmitter from the rod cell. (3)

  3. Q9(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    6 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 9(b): A student investigated the retinal structures of different mammals. The student collected information about: • the structure of the retina of the cat (a predato

  4. Q5(a)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 5(a)(i): Which of the following occur in the rod cell when it is stimulated by light? (1) 1 rhodopsin breaks down into retinal and opsin 2 there is a decrease in the rel

  5. Q5(a)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 5(a)(ii): Explain why the centre of the retina is less sensitive to low intensity light than the outer areas. (2)

  6. Q5(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 5(a): Which of the following is the name of the cell labelled X? (1) A bipolar neurone B ganglion neurone C motor neurone D optic neurone

  7. Q5(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    3 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 5(b): Explain the role of rhodopsin in the generation of a nerve impulse in cell X when light falls on the retina. (3)

  8. Q5(c)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    6 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 5(c): A scientist investigated the effect of how the length of time a volunteer spent in darkness affected the sensitivity of their retina to light. This is the metho

  9. Q9(a)(ii)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    1 mark9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 9(a)(ii): Which of the following statements about the effect of light on rod cells are correct? (1) 1. rhodopsin breaks down into opsin and trans-retinal 2. voltage-gated

  10. Q9(b)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    6 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 9(b): Graph 1 shows the distribution of photoreceptors across the retina. Graph 2 shows the sensitivity of rod cells and cone cells to light of different wavelengths.

  11. Q10(c)

    June 2019 · Paper 3

    5 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3, question 10(c): The mouse uses its eyes when exploring in the box. Describe the role of rod cells in initiating action potentials to the brain of the mouse. (5)

  12. Q3(a)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    2 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 3(a): Explain the role of mitochondria in the functioning of rod cells. (2)

  13. Q3(b)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    4 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 3(b): Rod cells release glutamate, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Describe how light causes a change in the release of glutamate from rod cells. (4)

  14. Q4(a)(i)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    1 mark9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 4(a)(i): Which row in the table correctly identifies the cells W, X and Y? (1) Cell W Cell X Cell Y A bipolar cell cone cell rod cell B bipolar cell rod cell cone cell C

  15. Q4(a)(ii)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    1 mark9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 4(a)(ii): Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the direction of the light passing through the retina. (1)

  16. Q4(a)(iii)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    3 marks9.7 Detection of light by mammals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 4(a)(iii): Explain why a higher light intensity is required to produce an action potential in cell Z than in cell W. (3)
All 16 questions on Detection of light by mammals, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Draw an arrow on the left of the diagram to show the direction that light travels through the retina. (1)
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q9(a)(ii) (3 marks): Describe how light absorbed by rhodopsin in a rod cell leads to a change in release of neurotransmitter from the rod cell. (3)
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q9(b) (6 marks): A student investigated the retinal structures of different mammals. The student collected information about: • the structure of the retina of the cat (a predato
  4. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following occur in the rod cell when it is stimulated by light? (1) 1 rhodopsin breaks down into retinal and opsin 2 there is a decrease in the rel
  5. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the centre of the retina is less sensitive to low intensity light than the outer areas. (2)
  6. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5(a) (1 mark): Which of the following is the name of the cell labelled X? (1) A bipolar neurone B ganglion neurone C motor neurone D optic neurone
  7. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5(b) (3 marks): Explain the role of rhodopsin in the generation of a nerve impulse in cell X when light falls on the retina. (3)
  8. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5(c) (6 marks): A scientist investigated the effect of how the length of time a volunteer spent in darkness affected the sensitivity of their retina to light. This is the metho
  9. October 2020, Paper 2, Q9(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following statements about the effect of light on rod cells are correct? (1) 1. rhodopsin breaks down into opsin and trans-retinal 2. voltage-gated
  10. October 2020, Paper 2, Q9(b) (6 marks): Graph 1 shows the distribution of photoreceptors across the retina. Graph 2 shows the sensitivity of rod cells and cone cells to light of different wavelengths.
  11. June 2019, Paper 3, Q10(c) (5 marks): The mouse uses its eyes when exploring in the box. Describe the role of rod cells in initiating action potentials to the brain of the mouse. (5)
  12. June 2018, Paper 2, Q3(a) (2 marks): Explain the role of mitochondria in the functioning of rod cells. (2)
  13. June 2018, Paper 2, Q3(b) (4 marks): Rod cells release glutamate, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Describe how light causes a change in the release of glutamate from rod cells. (4)
  14. June 2017, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Which row in the table correctly identifies the cells W, X and Y? (1) Cell W Cell X Cell Y A bipolar cell cone cell rod cell B bipolar cell rod cell cone cell C
  15. June 2017, Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the direction of the light passing through the retina. (1)
  16. June 2017, Paper 2, Q4(a)(iii) (3 marks): Explain why a higher light intensity is required to produce an action potential in cell Z than in cell W. (3)

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