Skip to content

Neurobiology and Behaviour: Eduqas A‑Level Biology questions

Every Eduqas A-Level Biology exam question on 3.C Neurobiology and Behaviour, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

Find questions2,061
Calculations

2,061 questions

  1. Q9(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(a)(i): The mouse brain in Image 9.1 has been magnified to allow comparison with the monkey brain. Use the scale bar to calculate the actual length of the mouse brain.
  2. Q9(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(a)(ii): The monkey has a larger brain than the mouse and is considered to be a more intelligent animal. Use Image 9.1 to identify one other difference between the two b
  3. Q9(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(a)(iii): I. Describe the relationship between the size of the body parts shown in Image 9.2 and the degree of innervation of the cerebrum. [1] II. Explain why the size o
  4. Q9(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(b)(i): Describe two advantages of using scans to visualise the brain. [2]
  5. Q9(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(b)(ii): fMRI scanning is considered the best method for monitoring brain activity. State the full name for this scanning method. [1]
  6. Q9(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(b)(iii): The coloured areas on the fMRI scan correspond to increased flow of oxygenated blood in that region. Explain how this can be used to monitor brain activity. [2]
  7. Q9(c)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(c)(i): Suggest two factors that could be controlled by using an artificial feeder for this experiment rather than relying on naturally occurring flowers. [2]
  8. Q9(c)(ii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(c)(ii): Identify which of Graphs 9.5A and B has the more reliable data. Explain your choice. [1] Graph 9.6 shows data from Graphs 9.5A and B combined. Graph 9.6 5 4 3 2
  9. Q9(c)(iii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(c)(iii): State the general relationship shown in Graph 9.6 and suggest the benefit of this relationship to the bee colony. [3]
  10. Q9(c)(iv)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 9(c)(iv): The bee waggle dance is an example of innate behaviour in a social insect. Primates also live in close social groups and display both innate and learned behavio
  11. Q9(a)(i)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(a)(i): Account for the different appearance of the brain in the two scans. [1]
  12. Q9(a)(ii)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(a)(ii): Identify structure X on Image 9.1. [1]
  13. Q9(a)(iii)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(a)(iii): Structure X is part of the autonomic nervous system. Describe the function of the autonomic nervous system. [1] Image 9.2 shows an electron micrograph of a sing
  14. Q9(a)(iv)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(a)(iv): Calculate the actual diameter of the cell body of the neurone in Image 9.2 along the line shown. State your answer in µm. [2] Diameter = µm
  15. Q9(a)(v)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(a)(v): Following damage to the brain, there can be changes in neural pathways by establishing new connections between neurones. State the term used to describe these c
  16. Q9(b)(i)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(b)(i): Describe the general trend for the mammals shown in Graph 9.3. [1]
  17. Q9(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(b)(ii): Primates generally exhibit complex social behaviours such as imitation and insight. They are capable of higher levels of cognitive functioning than the other gr
  18. Q9(c)(i)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(c)(i): Use Image 9.4 and your knowledge of cortisol production to describe and explain the effect on this pathway of increasing cortisol concentrations in the blood. [
  19. Q9(c)(ii)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(c)(ii): Suggest the benefit of the response described in Image 9.4. [1]
  20. Q9(c)(iii)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 9(c)(iii): Some individuals have an unusually high concentration of corticotropin releasing hormone in their bloodstreams. Suggest a possible life event that may have caus
All 101 questions on Neurobiology and Behaviour, as a list
  1. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): The mouse brain in Image 9.1 has been magnified to allow comparison with the monkey brain. Use the scale bar to calculate the actual length of the mouse brain.
  2. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(a)(ii) (1 mark): The monkey has a larger brain than the mouse and is considered to be a more intelligent animal. Use Image 9.1 to identify one other difference between the two b
  3. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(a)(iii) (3 marks): I. Describe the relationship between the size of the body parts shown in Image 9.2 and the degree of innervation of the cerebrum. [1] II. Explain why the size o
  4. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe two advantages of using scans to visualise the brain. [2]
  5. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): fMRI scanning is considered the best method for monitoring brain activity. State the full name for this scanning method. [1]
  6. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(b)(iii) (2 marks): The coloured areas on the fMRI scan correspond to increased flow of oxygenated blood in that region. Explain how this can be used to monitor brain activity. [2]
  7. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(c)(i) (2 marks): Suggest two factors that could be controlled by using an artificial feeder for this experiment rather than relying on naturally occurring flowers. [2]
  8. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(c)(ii) (1 mark): Identify which of Graphs 9.5A and B has the more reliable data. Explain your choice. [1] Graph 9.6 shows data from Graphs 9.5A and B combined. Graph 9.6 5 4 3 2
  9. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(c)(iii) (3 marks): State the general relationship shown in Graph 9.6 and suggest the benefit of this relationship to the bee colony. [3]
  10. June 2025, Component 3, Q9(c)(iv) (3 marks): The bee waggle dance is an example of innate behaviour in a social insect. Primates also live in close social groups and display both innate and learned behavio
  11. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Account for the different appearance of the brain in the two scans. [1]
  12. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(a)(ii) (1 mark): Identify structure X on Image 9.1. [1]
  13. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(a)(iii) (1 mark): Structure X is part of the autonomic nervous system. Describe the function of the autonomic nervous system. [1] Image 9.2 shows an electron micrograph of a sing
  14. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(a)(iv) (2 marks): Calculate the actual diameter of the cell body of the neurone in Image 9.2 along the line shown. State your answer in µm. [2] Diameter = µm
  15. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(a)(v) (1 mark): Following damage to the brain, there can be changes in neural pathways by establishing new connections between neurones. State the term used to describe these c
  16. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Describe the general trend for the mammals shown in Graph 9.3. [1]
  17. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(b)(ii) (3 marks): Primates generally exhibit complex social behaviours such as imitation and insight. They are capable of higher levels of cognitive functioning than the other gr
  18. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(c)(i) (3 marks): Use Image 9.4 and your knowledge of cortisol production to describe and explain the effect on this pathway of increasing cortisol concentrations in the blood. [
  19. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(c)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest the benefit of the response described in Image 9.4. [1]
  20. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(c)(iii) (2 marks): Some individuals have an unusually high concentration of corticotropin releasing hormone in their bloodstreams. Suggest a possible life event that may have caus
  21. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(d)(i) (1 mark): Use evidence from Image 9.5 to explain how this species shows sexual dimorphism. [1]
  22. June 2024, Component 3, Q9(d)(ii) (3 marks): Use all the information provided to identify the two types of selection that have resulted in sexual dimorphism in black grouse. Explain each answer. [3]
  23. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): Identify the structures labelled A, B and C on Image 9.1. [2] Label Name of structure A B C
  24. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): The symptoms of a patient who had suffered a brain injury included partial paralysis of the right arm and hand and the right side of the face. Conclude which he
  25. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Use the data in Graph 9.2 to conclude how the number of months after injury before therapy started affected the improvement. Explain how the range bars increase
  26. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how the brain can recover following a brain injury that destroys neural pathways. [2]
  27. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(b)(iii) (2 marks): The data shown in Graph 9.2 were obtained by studying the recovery of many patients over an extended period. Suggest two factors that would have to be controlle
  28. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(b)(iv) (4 marks): Use Graph 9.3 to suggest why children who are not exposed to language between birth and four years of age are less likely to develop language skills. [4]
  29. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(c)(i) (1 mark): State the type of innate behaviour shown by the woodlice in this investigation. [1] The results of this investigation are shown in Table 9.5. Table 9.5 Speed of
  30. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(c)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the mean speed of the woodlice at 4 au light intensity and record your answer in Table 9.5. [1]
  31. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(c)(iii) (1 mark): State the relationship between light intensity and mean speed of the woodlice in the investigation. [1]
  32. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(c)(iv) (1 mark): Explain how this type of behaviour would benefit woodlice in their natural habitat. [1]
  33. June 2023, Component 3, Q9(c)(v) (2 marks): Suggest how this method could be adapted to investigate the effect of humidity on the behaviour of the woodlice. [2]
  34. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): One feature of a eusocial colony is division of labour. Describe what is meant by division of labour and suggest one role that worker termites may carry out tha
  35. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(a)(ii) (4 marks): I. State the specific name of this type of innate response. [1] II. Suggest the advantage to the colony of the responses to light shown by wingless and winged a
  36. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Explain one advantage of a dominance hierarchy to a group of chimpanzees. [1] Dominant males in the group show more assertive behaviour than other males. They a
  37. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): Using the arrows marked on Image 9.3, calculate the facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR) of chimpanzee X. [2] Ratio :1 Scientists calculated an assertiveness sco
  38. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(b)(iii) (1 mark): Use your answer from (b)(ii) and Graph 9.5 to predict the expected assertiveness score for chimpanzee X. [1] Expected assertiveness score =
  39. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(b)(iv) (1 mark): The graph shows considerable variation in data for the calculated assertiveness scores compared to facial width-to-height ratio. Suggest why the calculated asse
  40. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(c)(i) (1 mark): Suggest which form of learning behaviour enables many chimpanzees in this group to acquire the skill shown in Image 9.6. [1] All primates can use an opposable t
  41. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the shape and size of the hand appears distorted and disproportionately large compared to other parts of the body in Image 9.7 [2]
  42. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(d)(i) (3 marks): Describe and explain the procedure that causes the areas of highest brain activity to appear darker in a PET scan image. [3]
  43. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(d)(ii) (2 marks): Using Image 9.8, name the areas of the cerebral cortex that show greatest activity when the subject is: I. viewing written words. [1] II. speaking individual wo
  44. June 2022, Component 3, Q9(d)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest why speaking sentences (complex speech) uses a greater area of the cerebral cortex than all the other components combined. [1]
  45. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the main region of the brain responsible for controlling the autonomic nervous system. [1] The sympathetic nerves release the neurotransmitter noradrenalin
  46. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): I. Name the area of heart tissue that has adrenergic receptors and initiates the heartbeat. [1] II. Explain why this tissue has a nerve supply from both the par
  47. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(a)(iii) (1 mark): Explain why noradrenaline and adrenaline exert similar effects on body tissues. [1]
  48. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Describe what is meant by an epigenetic change in the DNA. [1] One example of epigenetic modification is the methylation of DNA that prevents transcription of a
  49. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(b)(ii) (3 marks): Use the information in image 9.3 to explain how methylation of the NR3C1 gene could lead to higher incidences of stress-related mental illnesses in survivors of
  50. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(b)(iii) (2 marks): Evaluate whether the graph supports the hypothesis that as the age of maternal exposure to trauma increases, the production of cortisol in their descendants dec
  51. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(b)(iv) (1 mark): Explain why the mass of cortisol excreted in the urine over 24 hours was measured and not the concentration of cortisol. [1]
  52. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(b)(v) (2 marks): Suggest two features of the sample of people in this investigation that reduce the reliability of the data. [2]
  53. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by the term ‘sign stimulus’ and state the name given to the type or pattern of behaviour that is the result of this type of stimulus. [2]
  54. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(c)(ii) (2 marks): Larger tusks place male elephants at a social advantage. Describe two ways by which male elephants gain social advantage from having larger tusks. [2] The prese
  55. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(c)(iii) (2 marks): Using the information in image 9.5, calculate the percentage decrease in the mean length of the tusks of male elephants with a shoulder height of 2 metres. [2]
  56. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q9(c)(iv) (1 mark): One attempt to reduce poaching has been to anaesthetise elephants with larger tusks and remove the tusks so that poachers have no reason to kill these individua
  57. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Explain what is meant by innate behaviour. [1] Blowflies (Calliphora spp) are insects that lay eggs on recently dead animals. Eggs hatch into larvae called magg
  58. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): Before use in the experiment, the maggots were kept at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow them to equilibrate. Explain why this was necessary. [1] After 2
  59. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(a)(iii) (2 marks): Identify the type of innate behaviour shown by the maggot in this experiment and describe one feature of the pattern of movement that supports your conclusion.
  60. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(a)(iv) (2 marks): Suggest how this behaviour would be an advantage to the maggot in its natural environment. [2]
  61. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(a)(v) (1 mark): The rate of movement during the first minute was calculated by measuring the total length of the lines drawn on the lid from 0 to 6 and dividing by 60 seconds.
  62. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(b)(i) (1 mark): State the name that describes the changes in the development of neurones illustrated in image 10.3. [1] Graph 10.4 shows the rate of formation of synapses invol
  63. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(b)(ii) (3 marks): Using information from graph 10.4, together with your own knowledge, explain why hearing deficiency during the critical period for the formation of sensory path
  64. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(b)(iii) (1 mark): With reference to the neurones of a 4 year old and 6 year old (photographs 6 and 7), suggest why speech and language does not improve significantly if hearing i
  65. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(b)(iv) (1 mark): State the names of the two areas of the cerebral cortex associated with the development of speech and language. [1]
  66. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(c)(i) (3 marks): Compare the way that a CT and MRI scan image is produced and suggest two advantages of using an MRI scan for monitoring the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
  67. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(c)(ii) (1 mark): State one factor that should be considered in order to make a valid comparison between the brain of an Alzheimer’s patient and a normal brain. [1] Memory loss c
  68. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q10(c)(iii) (3 marks): The ratio of the total brain volume to hippocampus volume at the start of the 12 month period was 377 : 1. I. Calculate the ratio of the total brain volume to h
  69. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(a)(i) (2 marks): Label the lobes A-D of the cerebral cortex shown in figure 10.1. [2]
  70. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): In humans the cortex is greatly folded and contains around 1.6 × 1010 neurones. Figure 10.2 shows the values for some other mammals. Figure 10.2 Mammal Number o
  71. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(a)(iii) (2 marks): State the conclusion you could make about the cognitive function of a long-finned pilot whale when compared to the other mammals. [2]
  72. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(a)(iv) (2 marks): Damage to the cerebral cortex, through either injury or disease, produces different symptoms according to which lobe of the cerebral cortex is affected. Conside
  73. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(b)(i) (1 mark): Identify the neurotransmitters involved in the following divisions of the autonomic nervous system. [1] parasympathetic sympathetic
  74. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(b)(ii) (2 marks): Using figure 10.4, describe and explain how the sympathetic nervous system helps an individual during a fight or flight response. [2]
  75. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(c)(i) (2 marks): Using the diagram and your own knowledge, explain the role of the brain in preventing the individual becoming overstressed. [2]
  76. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(c)(ii) (1 mark): The blood cortisol levels of an individual who had suffered a traumatic childhood would be expected to be higher than normal. Explain why such individuals may b
  77. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(d)(i) (1 mark): Explain why this social behaviour benefits the colony. [1] Karl von Frisch discovered much of what we know today about honeybee communication. He studied thousa
  78. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(d)(ii) (1 mark): Identify the main risk associated with the study and how the risk could be minimised. [1] He observed that when food is more than 70 m away from the hive they p
  79. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(d)(iii) (2 marks): I. Using the graph, complete the table below by calculating the difference in the number of times the waggle dance is repeated in 15 seconds between 100 and 500
  80. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(d)(iv) (2 marks): There were two factors which were important in terms of making a valid conclusion. 1 Karl von Frisch studied thousands of bees and collected data from more than
  81. June 2019, Component 3, Q10(e) (1 mark): Different groups of chimpanzees obtain food in a variety of ways. One group of chimpanzees was observed trapping colobus monkeys in order to eat them. Other gro
  82. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(a) (4 marks): The cortical homunculus is a drawing showing the area of cortex devoted to specific regions of the body. It correlates the anatomy of the body with a neurologic
  83. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(b)(i) (3 marks): With reference to the image, describe the advantage of fMRI over computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Explain what has happe
  84. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(b)(ii) (2 marks): Some studies suggest that in a healthy person 375 neurones per hour die due to the aging process. In an untreated stroke patient, it is estimated that 1.9 milli
  85. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(b)(iii) (2 marks): Use the scans opposite to suggest which part of the brain was damaged. Give reasons for your answer. [2]
  86. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(b)(iv) (2 marks): A stroke affecting Wernicke’s area has a different affect to a stroke affecting Broca’s area. Using your knowledge of these areas of the cerebral cortex describ
  87. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(c)(i) (2 marks): What are the advantages, to the meerkat colony, of this dominance hierarchy? [2]
  88. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(c)(ii) (1 mark): There is little difference between the size of males and females in meerkats. In other mammals, however, such as African lions, Panthera leo, the male is much l
  89. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(d)(i) (1 mark): What is the advantage to the study of using meerkats ‘habituated’ to close observation and handling? [1]
  90. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(d)(ii) (1 mark): What type of correlation is shown between relative weight gain and relative rate of play? [1]
  91. June 2018, Component 3, Q10(d)(iii) (2 marks): How could this investigation be improved to give more valid data? [2]
  92. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): The following image depicts an MRI scan of a human brain. Which number (1-6) shows the hippocampus? [1] 4 3 2 5 6 1
  93. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why the scientist studied the hippocampus region of the brain. Give reasons for your answer. [2]
  94. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(a)(iii) (1 mark): The independent variable in this research was being a male taxi driver. The dependent variable was the volume of the hippocampus as seen using MRI. Male non-tax
  95. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(b)(i) (4 marks): The scientist’s hypothesis stated, “the regions of hippocampi in London taxi drivers will be structurally different to the hippocampi in non-taxi drivers”. Usin
  96. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(b)(ii) (4 marks): The line shown on the graph is a correlation line. Using the trend shown and your knowledge of brain structure and neuroplasticity, what conclusions can be draw
  97. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(b)(iii) (2 marks): A further investigation is to be carried out to look at changes in brain activity during a map reading exercise whilst driving the taxi. Suggest a brain imaging
  98. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage change in mean time to escape between the start and end of the trials. [2] percentage change in mean time =
  99. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(c)(ii) (2 marks): State and explain the type of behaviour exhibited by the hyenas. [2]
  100. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(c)(iii) (1 mark): Explain why the time taken to escape from the box decreases. [1]
  101. June 2017, Component 3, Q9(c)(iv) (1 mark): Suggest how the experiment could be modified to improve the reliability of the conclusion. [1]

Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © WJEC Eduqas, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Every Eduqas A-Level Biology paper.

Rather write your answers by hand on iPad? Plumi marks them against the same mark schemes.