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The nervous system and reflexes: Edexcel GCSE Biology questions

Every Edexcel GCSE Biology exam question on The nervous system and reflexes (specification points 2.13–2.14), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,834 questions

  1. Q8(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 8(a)(i): State how the median distance for each student could be determined from the results. (1)

  2. Q8(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 8(a)(ii): State and explain one variable that needs to be controlled in this investigation. (2)

  3. Q8(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 8(a)(iii): Figure 10 shows the results recorded for the three students. student distance in mm A 70 69 67 64 62 B 71 70 69 67 65 C 72 70 69 66 62 Figure 10 Explain one con

  4. Q8(a)(iv)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    3 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 8(a)(iv): A student wanted to investigate the effect of two different drinks containing caffeine on reaction time using this method. Devise a plan the student could use.

  5. Q8(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 8(b)(i): Identify structure Z. (1)

  6. Q8(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    3 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 8(b)(ii): Figure 12 shows how the diameter of neurones affects the speed of electrical impulses. 10 8 myelinated neurones 6 speed of the electrical impulse 4 in m/s unmye

  7. Q3(c)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 markThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 3(c)(i): Name the type of neurone that transmits nerve impulses from the brain to the muscles in the iris of the eye. (1)

  8. Q6(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 markThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 6(a)(i): Which measurement should be recorded to compare reaction times? (1) A the time taken to complete the investigation B the distance the ruler falls C the distance

  9. Q6(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 markThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 6(a)(ii): Figure 12 shows the results of five students. student distance measured in cm J 15 K 12 L 14 M 13 N 13 Figure 12 Which is the mean of the results in Figure 12?

  10. Q6(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 6(a)(iii): Explain which of the five students had the slowest reaction time. (2)

  11. Q6(a)(iv)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 6(a)(iv): Give two variables that need to be controlled during this investigation. (2) 1 2

  12. Q6(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 markThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 6(b)(i): State the role of a motor neurone in a reflex arc. (1)

  13. Q6(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 6(b)(ii): Explain the function of the myelin sheath. (2)

  14. Q6(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    3 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 6(b)(iii): Describe how a nerve impulse passes across the gap between two neurones. (3)

  15. Q9(d)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Foundation

    6 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Foundation, question 9(d)(ii): Beriberi can affect reflexes. Figure 18 shows a reflex arc. skin of finger neurone Y neurone X pin spinal cord muscle in arm neurone Z Figure 18 When the skin i

  16. Q4(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 4(c)(ii): When a person reacts to a stimulus, messages from the brain are sent to their muscles. Describe how messages are sent from the brain to muscles. (2)

  17. Q9(c)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    6 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 9(c): The doctor also tested the reaction time of the patient. Describe the structure and function of a reflex arc. (6)

  18. Q10(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 10(c)(ii): When a person reacts to a stimulus, messages from the brain are sent to their muscles. Describe how messages are sent from the brain to muscles. (2)

  19. Q4(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher

    3 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Higher, question 4(b)(i): Calculate the time an impulse takes to travel the length of the optic nerve. Use the equation: speed = distance time (3) seconds

  20. Q10(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Foundation

    3 marksThe nervous system and reflexes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Foundation, question 10(b)(i): Calculate the time an impulse takes to travel the length of the optic nerve. Use the equation: speed = distance time (3) seconds
All 43 questions on The nervous system and reflexes, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): State how the median distance for each student could be determined from the results. (1)
  2. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): State and explain one variable that needs to be controlled in this investigation. (2)
  3. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(a)(iii) (2 marks): Figure 10 shows the results recorded for the three students. student distance in mm A 70 69 67 64 62 B 71 70 69 67 65 C 72 70 69 66 62 Figure 10 Explain one con
  4. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(a)(iv) (3 marks): A student wanted to investigate the effect of two different drinks containing caffeine on reaction time using this method. Devise a plan the student could use.
  5. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): Identify structure Z. (1)
  6. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(b)(ii) (3 marks): Figure 12 shows how the diameter of neurones affects the speed of electrical impulses. 10 8 myelinated neurones 6 speed of the electrical impulse 4 in m/s unmye
  7. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Name the type of neurone that transmits nerve impulses from the brain to the muscles in the iris of the eye. (1)
  8. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Which measurement should be recorded to compare reaction times? (1) A the time taken to complete the investigation B the distance the ruler falls C the distance
  9. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Figure 12 shows the results of five students. student distance measured in cm J 15 K 12 L 14 M 13 N 13 Figure 12 Which is the mean of the results in Figure 12?
  10. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain which of the five students had the slowest reaction time. (2)
  11. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(a)(iv) (2 marks): Give two variables that need to be controlled during this investigation. (2) 1 2
  12. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): State the role of a motor neurone in a reflex arc. (1)
  13. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the function of the myelin sheath. (2)
  14. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(b)(iii) (3 marks): Describe how a nerve impulse passes across the gap between two neurones. (3)
  15. June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9(d)(ii) (6 marks): Beriberi can affect reflexes. Figure 18 shows a reflex arc. skin of finger neurone Y neurone X pin spinal cord muscle in arm neurone Z Figure 18 When the skin i
  16. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): When a person reacts to a stimulus, messages from the brain are sent to their muscles. Describe how messages are sent from the brain to muscles. (2)
  17. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q9(c) (6 marks): The doctor also tested the reaction time of the patient. Describe the structure and function of a reflex arc. (6)
  18. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10(c)(ii) (2 marks): When a person reacts to a stimulus, messages from the brain are sent to their muscles. Describe how messages are sent from the brain to muscles. (2)
  19. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the time an impulse takes to travel the length of the optic nerve. Use the equation: speed = distance time (3) seconds
  20. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the time an impulse takes to travel the length of the optic nerve. Use the equation: speed = distance time (3) seconds
  21. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q2(a)(i) (3 marks): Describe how an impulse passes from the relay neurone to the motor neurone. (3)
  22. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the function of a reflex arc. (2)
  23. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Which is the median result for these students? (1) A 200 milliseconds B 210 milliseconds C 215 milliseconds D 225 milliseconds
  24. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): The scientist wanted to investigate if the colours of the squares used on the computer program affected reaction time. The computer program started with blue sq
  25. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): Draw an arrow on Figure 16 to show the direction of travel of an electrical impulse along the motor neurone. (1)
  26. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): Name both structure K and structure L. (2) K L
  27. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how an impulse passes from the relay neurone to the motor neurone. (3)
  28. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the function of a reflex arc. (2)
  29. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8(c)(i) (1 mark): Which is the median result for these students? (1) A 200 milliseconds B 210 milliseconds C 215 milliseconds D 225 milliseconds
  30. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8(c)(ii) (3 marks): The scientist wanted to investigate if the colours of the squares used on the computer program affected reaction time. The computer program started with blue sq
  31. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mean difference in reaction time. Give your answer in milliseconds. (2) ms
  32. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): The drinks manufacturer wants to advertise the effect of the drink on reaction time. The manufacture needs to confirm the effect on reaction time by improving t
  33. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the type of neurone shown in Figure 10. (1)
  34. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which row identifies structure P and structure Q? (1) structure P structure Q A myelin sheath axon B cell body dendron C myelin sheath dendron D cell body axon
  35. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q8(c) (6 marks): Some painkillers prevent neurotransmitters binding to receptors in a synapse. Explain how a signal is transmitted at a synapse and how the painkillers reduce th
  36. June 2019, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(a)(ii) (3 marks): Most neurones in the brain are unmyelinated whereas motor neurones are myelinated. Explain why myelination is needed on motor neurones but not on neurones in th
  37. June 2019, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(b)(i) (1 mark): Label the axon on Figure 17. (1)
  38. June 2019, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the role of sensory neurones. (2)
  39. June 2019, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(c) (4 marks): Explain how impulses are transmitted at synapses. (4)
  40. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): The optic nerve transfers electrical signals from the eye to the central nervous system. (1) The optic nerve is a A relay neurone B motor neurone C sensory neur
  41. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q7(c) (3 marks): Some research has shown that increased use of computers and other digital media can affect eyesight and reaction times. A scientist wanted to test if prolonged
  42. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q7(d)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mean reaction time in milliseconds. (2) ms
  43. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q7(d)(ii) (1 mark): Give the name of the mathematical term which is used to describe the reaction time value of person 1. (1)

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