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The nervous system: Eduqas A‑Level Biology questions

Every Eduqas A-Level Biology exam question on 3.5 The nervous system, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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2,061 questions

  1. Q4(c)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 1

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 1, question 4(c)(i): Use the information given to explain why it is recommended that all fruit and vegetables should be washed before being eaten. [2]

  2. Q4(c)(ii)

    June 2025 · Component 1

    3 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 1, question 4(c)(ii): In rats, it was found that the maximum ‘safe’ daily intake of ‘Aphide’ was 0.035 mg kg–1 This is the highest dose that could be ingested daily without causing a

  3. Q4(c)(iii)

    June 2025 · Component 1

    1 mark3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 1, question 4(c)(iii): Suggest one disadvantage to humans of using rats to determine the maximum ‘safe’ daily intake of ‘Aphide’ for a human. [1]

  4. Q1(a)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(a): Use letters A to G from Image 1.1 to complete the table. [2] Component of reflex arc Letter Coordinator (spinal cord) B Effector Motor neurone Receptor Response

  5. Q1(b)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    3 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(b): Impulses are transferred along both sensory and motor neurones as a wave of action potentials. Describe how the movement of ions generates an action potential.

  6. Q1(c)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    3 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(c)(i): Use your own knowledge and the information provided in Image 1.2 to give three differences between the nerve net of Hydra and the nervous system in a human. [3]

  7. Q1(c)(ii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(c)(ii): Describe two ways in which the Hydra trace differs from that of the human. [2] I. II.

  8. Q4(a)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    3 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 4(a): Name the labelled structures A–E shown in Image 4.1. [3] A D B E C

  9. Q4(b)(i)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    3 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 4(b)(i): Complete Image 4.3 to label the sensory and motor neurones involved in the dog scratch reflex. Draw arrows on all the neurones involved to show the direction of

  10. Q4(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 4(b)(ii): Use the information in Images 4.2 and 4.3 to explain why the axon of the connector (relay) neurone is so long in this reflex arc. [2]

  11. Q4(c)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 4(c): In a dog, the nerve impulse takes 6 milliseconds to travel 0.3 m. Calculate the rate of transmission of the nerve impulse. Give your answer in metres per second

  12. Q5(a)

    June 2023 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 3, question 5(a): Draw an arrow to indicate one region of the axon in Image 5.1 where an action potential is taking place. Explain your choice. [2]

  13. Q5(b)

    June 2023 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 3, question 5(b): The nerve impulse is prevented from travelling in the opposite direction to that shown in Image 5.1. Use Image 5.1 to give two pieces of evidence to explain thi

  14. Q5(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 3, question 5(c)(i): Identify cell P and structures Q and R. [2] cell P structure Q structure R

  15. Q5(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 3, question 5(c)(ii): Explain what would happen to the rate of transmission of the nerve impulse if structure R was not present. [2]

  16. Q5(c)(iii)

    June 2023 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 3, question 5(c)(iii): Complete the following table to state and explain two other factors which affect the speed of conduction of the nerve impulse. [2] Factor Explanation

  17. Q5(d)

    June 2023 · Component 3

    4 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 3, question 5(d): Diagrams of two neurones X and Y, associated with the same postsynaptic neurone, are shown in Image 5.3. Image 5.3 membrane of postsynaptic neurone synaptic ves

  18. Q5(e)

    June 2023 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 3, question 5(e): Some organophosphates block the active site of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Suggest why the presence of

  19. Q1(b)

    June 2022 · Component 3

    4 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Component 3, question 1(b): When a bee stings a human, it injects melittin. One model of the action of melittin proposes that it causes more sodium ion channels to open in the membrane of

  20. Q1(c)(i)

    June 2022 · Component 3

    2 marks3.5 The nervous system
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Component 3, question 1(c)(i): Name the structure labelled X and the process taking place at Z. [2] Structure X Process taking place at Z
All 40 questions on The nervous system, as a list
  1. June 2025, Component 1, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Use the information given to explain why it is recommended that all fruit and vegetables should be washed before being eaten. [2]
  2. June 2025, Component 1, Q4(c)(ii) (3 marks): In rats, it was found that the maximum ‘safe’ daily intake of ‘Aphide’ was 0.035 mg kg–1 This is the highest dose that could be ingested daily without causing a
  3. June 2025, Component 1, Q4(c)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest one disadvantage to humans of using rats to determine the maximum ‘safe’ daily intake of ‘Aphide’ for a human. [1]
  4. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(a) (2 marks): Use letters A to G from Image 1.1 to complete the table. [2] Component of reflex arc Letter Coordinator (spinal cord) B Effector Motor neurone Receptor Response
  5. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(b) (3 marks): Impulses are transferred along both sensory and motor neurones as a wave of action potentials. Describe how the movement of ions generates an action potential.
  6. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(c)(i) (3 marks): Use your own knowledge and the information provided in Image 1.2 to give three differences between the nerve net of Hydra and the nervous system in a human. [3]
  7. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two ways in which the Hydra trace differs from that of the human. [2] I. II.
  8. June 2024, Component 3, Q4(a) (3 marks): Name the labelled structures A–E shown in Image 4.1. [3] A D B E C
  9. June 2024, Component 3, Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): Complete Image 4.3 to label the sensory and motor neurones involved in the dog scratch reflex. Draw arrows on all the neurones involved to show the direction of
  10. June 2024, Component 3, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Use the information in Images 4.2 and 4.3 to explain why the axon of the connector (relay) neurone is so long in this reflex arc. [2]
  11. June 2024, Component 3, Q4(c) (2 marks): In a dog, the nerve impulse takes 6 milliseconds to travel 0.3 m. Calculate the rate of transmission of the nerve impulse. Give your answer in metres per second
  12. June 2023, Component 3, Q5(a) (2 marks): Draw an arrow to indicate one region of the axon in Image 5.1 where an action potential is taking place. Explain your choice. [2]
  13. June 2023, Component 3, Q5(b) (2 marks): The nerve impulse is prevented from travelling in the opposite direction to that shown in Image 5.1. Use Image 5.1 to give two pieces of evidence to explain thi
  14. June 2023, Component 3, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Identify cell P and structures Q and R. [2] cell P structure Q structure R
  15. June 2023, Component 3, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain what would happen to the rate of transmission of the nerve impulse if structure R was not present. [2]
  16. June 2023, Component 3, Q5(c)(iii) (2 marks): Complete the following table to state and explain two other factors which affect the speed of conduction of the nerve impulse. [2] Factor Explanation
  17. June 2023, Component 3, Q5(d) (4 marks): Diagrams of two neurones X and Y, associated with the same postsynaptic neurone, are shown in Image 5.3. Image 5.3 membrane of postsynaptic neurone synaptic ves
  18. June 2023, Component 3, Q5(e) (2 marks): Some organophosphates block the active site of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Suggest why the presence of
  19. June 2022, Component 3, Q1(b) (4 marks): When a bee stings a human, it injects melittin. One model of the action of melittin proposes that it causes more sodium ion channels to open in the membrane of
  20. June 2022, Component 3, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): Name the structure labelled X and the process taking place at Z. [2] Structure X Process taking place at Z
  21. June 2022, Component 3, Q1(c)(ii) (3 marks): ATP is required for the processes shown in Image 1.1. Explain how ATP is used at a synapse. [3]
  22. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why log scales are used on the axes of the graph. [1]
  23. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): For each organism, as the axon diameter increases, the speed of conduction increases. Suggest an explanation for this increase in speed of conduction. [2]
  24. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): A 10 µm diameter myelinated frog axon has a lower speed of conduction than a 10 µm diameter myelinated cat axon. [2]
  25. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): A 10 µm diameter myelinated frog axon uses less ATP to transmit impulses than a 10 µm diameter unmyelinated fish axon. [2]
  26. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q4(c) (3 marks): Some studies have suggested that lead ions (Pb2+) may block calcium ion channels on the pre-synaptic membrane of a synapse. This may cause loss of sensitivity i
  27. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q4(d)(ii) (2 marks): Using labels from image 4.3, state where: I. the axon of a sensory neurone enters the spinal cord; [1] II. you would find the position of a cell body of a motor
  28. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q4(d)(iii) (1 mark): Simple organisms, such as Cnidaria, have nerve cells with short extensions joined to each other and branching in a number of different directions. State the nam
  29. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q2(a)(i) (3 marks): Describe and explain the distribution of sodium ions (Na+) across the membrane at rest. [3]
  30. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q2(b) (3 marks): Describe how the drug TEA would affect the action potential trace. Explain the cause of this effect. [3]
  31. June 2019, Component 3, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the part of the vertebrate nervous system that carries impulses to and from the central nervous system. [1] Sensory receptors in Hydra are located across t
  32. June 2019, Component 3, Q4(a)(ii) (3 marks): Using the information given, suggest why starfish have more co-ordinated movements than Hydra but they only move slowly. [3]
  33. June 2019, Component 3, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Structures have evolved to ensure that action potentials are only transmitted in one direction. Label Figure 4.2 using label lines with letters P, Q and R to sh
  34. June 2019, Component 3, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how the structures labelled S increase the rate of transmission of an action potential. [3]
  35. June 2018, Component 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the diagram of a neurone below to show how this fatty substance is usually distributed, your labels should include the name of the fatty substance. [2]
  36. June 2018, Component 2, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how the arrangement of the fatty substance affects the transmission of nerve impulses. [3]
  37. June 2018, Component 3, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Using the letters A to D, identify the neurones involved in the reflex arcs involving: [1] I. the quadriceps muscle II. the hamstring muscle
  38. June 2018, Component 3, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): With reference to the neurones involved, explain why the contraction of the hamstring muscle occurs after the quadriceps muscle, in response to the same stimulu
  39. June 2018, Component 3, Q5(b) (4 marks): Impulses are transmitted through the neurones as a wave of action potentials. Explain how the movement of ions results in the generation of an action potential.
  40. June 2017, Component 3, Q6 (9 marks): Neurotoxins are chemicals produced by many organisms as a defence against predators. Most neurotoxins cause paralysis of muscles and eventually death. Different

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