plumiThe nervous system and reflexes: Edexcel GCSE Combined Science questions
Every Edexcel GCSE Combined Science 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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Q5(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(iv)
The whole paper ↗Q5(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q5(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q4(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ4(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ4(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q4(a)(iv)
The whole paper ↗Q4(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q4(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q4(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q6(d)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q6(c)
The whole paper ↗Q1(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q1(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ1(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗
All 35 questions on The nervous system and reflexes, as a list
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): State how the median distance for each student could be determined from the results. (1)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): State and explain one variable that needs to be controlled in this investigation. (2)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(iii) (2 marks): Figure 7 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 7 Explain one concl
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(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.
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Identify structure Z. (1)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Figure 9 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 unmyel
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(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
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Figure 8 shows the results of five students. student distance measured in cm J 15 K 12 L 14 M 13 N 13 Figure 8 Which is the mean of the results in Figure 8? (1)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain which of the five students had the slowest reaction time. (2)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(iv) (2 marks): Give two variables that need to be controlled during this investigation. (2) 1 2
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): State the role of a motor neurone in a reflex arc. (1)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the function of the myelin sheath. (2)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b)(iii) (3 marks): Describe how a nerve impulse passes across the gap between two neurones. (3)
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(d)(ii) (6 marks): Beriberi can affect reflexes. Figure 10 shows a reflex arc. skin of finger neurone Y neurone X pin spinal cord muscle in arm neurone Z Figure 10 When the skin i
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q6(c) (6 marks): The doctor also tested the reaction time of the patient. Describe the structure and function of a reflex arc. (6)
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(a)(i) (3 marks): Describe how an impulse passes from the relay neurone to the motor neurone. (3)
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the function of a reflex arc. (2)
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(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
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(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
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Draw an arrow on Figure 8 to show the direction of travel of an electrical impulse along the motor neurone. (1)
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Name both structure K and structure L. (2) K L
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how an impulse passes from the relay neurone to the motor neurone. (3)
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the function of a reflex arc. (2)
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(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
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(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
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mean difference in reaction time. Give your answer in milliseconds. (2) ms
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(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
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the type of neurone shown in Figure 7. (1)
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(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
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q5(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
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the difference between the number of neurones in the brain of the rat and the brain of the frog. Give your answer in standard form. (2) neurones
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q6(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
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Label the axon on Figure 9. (1)
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the role of sensory neurones. (2)
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q6(c) (4 marks): Explain how impulses are transmitted at synapses. (4)
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