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Neuronal communication: OCR A‑Level Biology A questions

Every OCR A-Level Biology A exam question on 5.1.3 Neuronal communication, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,984 questions

  1. Q10

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 10: Which of the diagrams shows a neurone that connects to an effector? A B C D Your answer [1]

  2. Q13

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 13: The Pacinian corpuscle is a type of sensory receptor that detects pressure. Which of the options describes the action of a Pacinian corpuscle? A A strong stimul

  3. Q18(a)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 18(a)(i): State the name given to the region labelled B. [1]

  4. Q18(a)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 18(a)(ii): Identify whether structure A or structure C is the first neurone in the pathway. Use one piece of evidence visible in the electron micrograph to explain your ch

  5. Q18(a)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 18(a)(iii): Complete the sentences about the action potential. The action potential involves rapid opening of voltage-gated sodium ion channels. This is an example of feedb

  6. Q7

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 7: Which row in the table correctly describes the events occurring during the action potential? Na+/K+-pump is Voltage-gated Na+ Voltage-gated K+ Position on graph

  7. Q8

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 8: Which of the statements about the graph is correct? A Depolarisation is occurring at 4 and hyperpolarisation is occurring at 6. B Depolarisation is occurring at

  8. Q10

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 10: Below is a diagram of a neurone. The arrows show the direction of the nerve impulse. 7 8 myelin sheath Which row in the table correctly identifies structures 7

  9. Q11

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 11: Which of the following statements about nervous transmission is not correct? A Breakdown of the myelin sheath can lead to uncoordinated movement. B Saltatory co

  10. Q14

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 14: Which of the following statements, A to D, describes events occurring at a synapse? A Acetylcholine is broken down by enzymes so that it can bind to structure K

  11. Q15

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 15: GABA is a neurotransmitter. GABA reduces the number of action potentials in the postsynaptic neurone by opening chloride ion channels in the post-synaptic membr

  12. Q18(b)(ii)

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    4 marks5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 18(b)(ii): The sensory neurone was stimulated electrically and the FURA-2 fluorescence in the synaptic bulb was measured. At the same time, an electrode recorded the membr

  13. Q11

    June 2019 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 1, question 11: The image below shows a synaptic bulb. I H J K Which of the following rows, A to D, correctly names the parts labelled H to J in the image? H I J K vesicle cont

  14. Q2(b)(i)

    June 2019 · Paper 3

    2 marks5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3, question 2(b)(i): Use the information in Fig. 2.2 to suggest why naked mole rats do not feel pain when exposed to acid. [2]

  15. Q2(b)(ii)

    June 2019 · Paper 3

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3, question 2(b)(ii): Explain how a pain receptor is an example of a transducer. [1]

  16. Q13

    June 2018 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 1, question 13: Which of the following diagrams, A to D, shows a sensory neurone? A B C D Your answer [1]

  17. Q14

    June 2018 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 1, question 14: The table below shows the membrane potentials of different neurones at a cholinergic synapse. The data were recorded on five separate occasions, as shown in the

  18. Q21(a)(i)

    June 2018 · Paper 1

    4 marks5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 1, question 21(a)(i): The following information has been discovered about the effects of TTX on nerve cells: • TTX binds to the external surface of the voltage-gated sodium ion chann

  19. Q21(b)

    June 2018 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 1, question 21(b): Molluscs such as H. lunulata have unmyelinated neurones. Saltatory conduction cannot occur in these neurones. Why is transmission of action potentials along the

  20. Q5(a)(ii)

    June 2017 · Paper 3

    2 marks5.1.3 Neuronal communication
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 3, question 5(a)(ii): Fig. 5 on the insert shows three neurones of different sizes from a person with MS. One of the neurones has been affected by MS. MS causes changes to neurones,
All 20 questions on Neuronal communication, as a list
  1. June 2023, Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): Which of the diagrams shows a neurone that connects to an effector? A B C D Your answer [1]
  2. June 2023, Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): The Pacinian corpuscle is a type of sensory receptor that detects pressure. Which of the options describes the action of a Pacinian corpuscle? A A strong stimul
  3. June 2023, Paper 1, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): State the name given to the region labelled B. [1]
  4. June 2023, Paper 1, Q18(a)(ii) (1 mark): Identify whether structure A or structure C is the first neurone in the pathway. Use one piece of evidence visible in the electron micrograph to explain your ch
  5. June 2023, Paper 1, Q18(a)(iii) (2 marks): Complete the sentences about the action potential. The action potential involves rapid opening of voltage-gated sodium ion channels. This is an example of feedb
  6. November 2021, Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): Which row in the table correctly describes the events occurring during the action potential? Na+/K+-pump is Voltage-gated Na+ Voltage-gated K+ Position on graph
  7. November 2021, Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): Which of the statements about the graph is correct? A Depolarisation is occurring at 4 and hyperpolarisation is occurring at 6. B Depolarisation is occurring at
  8. November 2021, Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): Below is a diagram of a neurone. The arrows show the direction of the nerve impulse. 7 8 myelin sheath Which row in the table correctly identifies structures 7
  9. November 2021, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): Which of the following statements about nervous transmission is not correct? A Breakdown of the myelin sheath can lead to uncoordinated movement. B Saltatory co
  10. November 2020, Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): Which of the following statements, A to D, describes events occurring at a synapse? A Acetylcholine is broken down by enzymes so that it can bind to structure K
  11. November 2020, Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): GABA is a neurotransmitter. GABA reduces the number of action potentials in the postsynaptic neurone by opening chloride ion channels in the post-synaptic membr
  12. November 2020, Paper 1, Q18(b)(ii) (4 marks): The sensory neurone was stimulated electrically and the FURA-2 fluorescence in the synaptic bulb was measured. At the same time, an electrode recorded the membr
  13. June 2019, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): The image below shows a synaptic bulb. I H J K Which of the following rows, A to D, correctly names the parts labelled H to J in the image? H I J K vesicle cont
  14. June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Use the information in Fig. 2.2 to suggest why naked mole rats do not feel pain when exposed to acid. [2]
  15. June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Explain how a pain receptor is an example of a transducer. [1]
  16. June 2018, Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): Which of the following diagrams, A to D, shows a sensory neurone? A B C D Your answer [1]
  17. June 2018, Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): The table below shows the membrane potentials of different neurones at a cholinergic synapse. The data were recorded on five separate occasions, as shown in the
  18. June 2018, Paper 1, Q21(a)(i) (4 marks): The following information has been discovered about the effects of TTX on nerve cells: • TTX binds to the external surface of the voltage-gated sodium ion chann
  19. June 2018, Paper 1, Q21(b) (1 mark): Molluscs such as H. lunulata have unmyelinated neurones. Saltatory conduction cannot occur in these neurones. Why is transmission of action potentials along the
  20. June 2017, Paper 3, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Fig. 5 on the insert shows three neurones of different sizes from a person with MS. One of the neurones has been affected by MS. MS causes changes to neurones,

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