plumiThe brain, imaging and brain chemicals: Edexcel International A Level Biology questions
Every Edexcel International A Level Biology exam question on The brain, imaging and brain chemicals (specification points 8.14–8.16), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q4(b)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ7(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ2(a)
The whole paper ↗Q2(b)
The whole paper ↗Q8(c)
The whole paper ↗Q8(d)
The whole paper ↗Q8(j)
The whole paper ↗Q1(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q2(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ2(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ2(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ5(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q8(f)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q3(b)
The whole paper ↗Q8(d)
The whole paper ↗Q8(e)
The whole paper ↗Q2(a)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ2(b)
The whole paper ↗
All 31 questions on The brain, imaging and brain chemicals, as a list
- June 2025, Unit 5, Q4(b) (1 mark): The medulla oblongata is part of the nervous system. Which is a function of the medulla oblongata? (1) A control of the cardiac response B long-term memory C re
- June 2025, Unit 5, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Which label identifies the pituitary gland? (1) A J B K C L D M
- January 2025, Unit 5, Q2(a) (3 marks): Label the diagram to show the locations of the pituitary gland (P), cerebellum (C) and hypothalamus (H). (3)
- January 2025, Unit 5, Q2(b) (3 marks): Complete the table to show one function of each part of the brain. (3) Part of the brain Function hypothalamus medulla oblongata pituitary gland
- October 2024, Unit 5, Q8(c) (2 marks): Describe the information that would be obtained from using a combined MRI and PET scan of the brain (Paragraph 13). (2)
- October 2024, Unit 5, Q8(d) (1 mark): State one reason why it might be considered unethical to tell people they are at risk of developing cognitive impairment (Paragraph 15). (1)
- October 2024, Unit 5, Q8(j) (1 mark): Successfully clearing amyloid from the brain had only a small effect. Suggest one reason why researchers are suggesting the need to start using the drugs even ‘
- June 2024, Unit 5, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Damage to anterior cruciate ligaments can be detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Describe how MRI can show damage to the anterior cruciate ligament
- June 2024, Unit 5, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Which labelled part of the brain contains the cardiovascular control centre? (1) A P B Q C R D S
- June 2024, Unit 5, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which labelled part of the brain would control balance and coordinate movement? (1) A P B Q C R D T
- June 2024, Unit 5, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which labelled parts would be involved in controlling the solute concentration of blood plasma? (1) A P and Q B Q and R C P and R D S and T
- June 2024, Unit 5, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): The diagnosis of ALS is made using positron emission tomography (PET) scans and computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain and nervous tissue. Compare and cont
- January 2024, Unit 5, Q8(f) (2 marks): Aerobic exercise may increase muscle size (hypertrophy) in older individuals. Describe how computed tomography (CT) scans can be used to measure these increases
- October 2023, Unit 5, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Lesion A is spherical and has a diameter (S–T) of 1.97 cm. Calculate the volume of lesion A. Use the formula: 4 3 V r 3 Give your answer to 2 decimal places. (2
- October 2023, Unit 5, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the actual width of the lesion labelled B between points X and Y. Give your answer to 2 significant figures. (2) Answer cm
- October 2023, Unit 5, Q3(b) (1 mark): An MRI scan can be used to diagnose a brain tumour. Suggest why a dye might be given during the MRI scan. (1)
- June 2023, Unit 5, Q8(d) (2 marks): Describe how fMRI scans could be used to show the activity of the regions of the brain controlling memory and sensation when probiotics are consumed (paragraph
- June 2023, Unit 5, Q8(e) (3 marks): Suggest how changes in diet could affect the composition of the gut flora causing imbalances in the naturally occurring chemicals in the brain (paragraph 10). (
- January 2023, Unit 5, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which type of scan can be used to study changes in brain function as they happen? (1) A computed tomography (CT) B electrocardiogram (ECG) C functional magnetic
- January 2023, Unit 5, Q2(b) (3 marks): Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate brain function. (3)
- January 2023, Unit 5, Q2(c) (3 marks): The diagram shows a section through the human brain. cerebral hemisphere hypothalamus pituitary gland cerebellum Complete the table to show one function for eac
- June 2022, Unit 5, Q1(a) (3 marks): The diagram shows a section through the human brain. (Source: © ilusmedical/Shutterstock) Label the diagram to show the location of the following: • pituitary g
- June 2022, Unit 5, Q1(b) (2 marks): Complete the table to show the parts of the brain and their functions. (2) Part of the brain Function cerebellum control of heart rate cerebral hemisphere (cere
- January 2022, Unit 5, Q6(d) (4 marks): The positron emission tomography (PET) images show the brain of an individual before (control) and after taking the drug cocaine. (Source: © BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL
- January 2022, Unit 5, Q8(a) (3 marks): Explain how toxicants in food could cause Parkinson’s disease (paragraph 3). (3)
- October 2021, Unit 5, Q8(a) (2 marks): Memory and cognitive function are two processes that occur in the brain (paragraphs 2 and 13). Different parts of the brain are responsible for specific functio
- October 2021, Unit 5, Q8(b) (4 marks): Some forms of dementia can be diagnosed using brain scans. Compare and contrast the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and computed tomography
- January 2021, Unit 5, Q3(a) (2 marks): The diagram shows a human brain. Three regions of the brain have been labelled. Q R P (Source: © MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY) Complete the table with the
- January 2021, Unit 5, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Which one of the following statements is correct? (1) A CT scans are produced by the absorbance of magnetic fields B CT scans are produced by the absorbance of
- January 2021, Unit 5, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): During a seizure, part of the brain will be overactive. Describe how positron emission tomography (PET) could be used to identify the part of the brain involved
- October 2020, Unit 5, Q8(c) (2 marks): Explain why a CT scan was used to show that Judy Perkins was free of tumours (paragraph 10 and Figure 1). (2)
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