plumiSynapses: OCR A‑Level Biology A questions
OCR A-Level Biology A past-paper questions on 5.1.3.4 Synapses, 2016–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q3(c)(ii)
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Open the full PDFQ18(a)(i)
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Open the full PDFYour answerQ18(b)(ii)
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Open the full PDFYour answerQ5(b)(ii)
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All 9 questions on Synapses, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how the binding of antibodies to acetylcholine receptors in the neuromuscular junction reduces the rate at which Ca2+ ions bind to troponin. [2]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): State the name given to the region labelled B. [1]
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Multiple sclerosis and Guillain–Barré syndrome both cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle function. Suggest and describe how the function of neuromuscular ju
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