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The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage: OCR A‑Level Biology B questions

Every OCR A-Level Biology B exam question on 5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,889 questions

  1. Q31(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    3 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 31(a): Use the diagram to complete the table about some of the structures of the human brain and their functions. Structure Function Letter Cerebellum Controls activit

  2. Q31(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 31(b)(i): Identify nervous systems W and X in the flow diagram. W X [1]

  3. Q31(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 31(b)(ii): In the autonomic nervous system, motor neurons carry impulses to smooth muscle and endocrine glands, whereas in nervous system X impulses are carried to skeleta

  4. Q36(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    3 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 36(c): Different scanning techniques are used by researchers and doctors to observe brain tissue and assess damage caused by disease or injury. Complete the table belo

  5. Q19

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 19: Which technique uses X-rays to construct images of internal structures to assess damage to the brain? A Computed tomography (CT) B Electroencephalography (EEG)

  6. Q26

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 26: The graph shows the changes in membrane potential of an axon during an action potential. Membrane potential P Time Which option describes what is happening at p

  7. Q4(a)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(a)(i): Identify structures E and F on the diagram. E F [2]

  8. Q4(a)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(a)(ii): The neurone labelled G inhibits muscle contraction. Suggest the advantage of this inhibition. [1]

  9. Q4(a)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(a)(iii): Explain why reflexes give animals a survival advantage. [2]

  10. Q4(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(b)(i): Explain the limitations of this method for collecting data. [2]

  11. Q4(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(b)(ii): Suggest improvements to this method for collecting data for analysis. [3]

  12. Q4(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(c)(i): State the null hypothesis that should be used. [1]

  13. Q4(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(c)(ii): Use the data in Table 4.1 to calculate a value for t. x x - A B Use the formula: t = 2 2 s s A B + n n A B t = [3]

  14. Q4(c)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(c)(iii): Table 4.2 shows the critical values for t. Table 4.2 p values Degrees of freedom 0.10 0.05 0.01 0.001 1 6.31 12.71 63.66 636.60 2 2.92 4.30 9.92 31.60 4 2.13 2.

  15. Q4(c)(iv)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(c)(iv): State the conclusion that can be drawn about group 3 compared with groups 1 and 2, based on the standard deviations shown in Table 4.1. [1]

  16. Q4(c)(v)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(c)(v): Suggest an explanation for the difference between group 3 and the other two groups. [1]

  17. Q22

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 22: The diagram shows a section through the axon of a motor neurone with structures labelled X, Y and Z. X Y Z Which of the rows correctly identifies structures X,

  18. Q2(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    4 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 2(a): A group of scientists assessed the harm caused by various drugs, including alcohol and heroin. The scientists produced weighted ‘harm scores’ for the drugs in s

  19. Q2(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    1 mark5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 2(b)(i): State the type of membrane protein represented by the GABA receptor. [1]

  20. Q2(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    3 marks5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 2(b)(ii): Compare and explain the effects of alcohol and heroin on the postsynaptic neurone in Fig. 2.2. [3]
All 37 questions on The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q31(a) (3 marks): Use the diagram to complete the table about some of the structures of the human brain and their functions. Structure Function Letter Cerebellum Controls activit
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q31(b)(i) (1 mark): Identify nervous systems W and X in the flow diagram. W X [1]
  3. June 2025, Paper 1, Q31(b)(ii) (2 marks): In the autonomic nervous system, motor neurons carry impulses to smooth muscle and endocrine glands, whereas in nervous system X impulses are carried to skeleta
  4. June 2025, Paper 1, Q36(c) (3 marks): Different scanning techniques are used by researchers and doctors to observe brain tissue and assess damage caused by disease or injury. Complete the table belo
  5. June 2024, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): Which technique uses X-rays to construct images of internal structures to assess damage to the brain? A Computed tomography (CT) B Electroencephalography (EEG)
  6. June 2023, Paper 1, Q26 (1 mark): The graph shows the changes in membrane potential of an axon during an action potential. Membrane potential P Time Which option describes what is happening at p
  7. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Identify structures E and F on the diagram. E F [2]
  8. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): The neurone labelled G inhibits muscle contraction. Suggest the advantage of this inhibition. [1]
  9. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why reflexes give animals a survival advantage. [2]
  10. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain the limitations of this method for collecting data. [2]
  11. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Suggest improvements to this method for collecting data for analysis. [3]
  12. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): State the null hypothesis that should be used. [1]
  13. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(c)(ii) (3 marks): Use the data in Table 4.1 to calculate a value for t. x x - A B Use the formula: t = 2 2 s s A B + n n A B t = [3]
  14. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(c)(iii) (2 marks): Table 4.2 shows the critical values for t. Table 4.2 p values Degrees of freedom 0.10 0.05 0.01 0.001 1 6.31 12.71 63.66 636.60 2 2.92 4.30 9.92 31.60 4 2.13 2.
  15. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(c)(iv) (1 mark): State the conclusion that can be drawn about group 3 compared with groups 1 and 2, based on the standard deviations shown in Table 4.1. [1]
  16. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(c)(v) (1 mark): Suggest an explanation for the difference between group 3 and the other two groups. [1]
  17. June 2022, Paper 1, Q22 (1 mark): The diagram shows a section through the axon of a motor neurone with structures labelled X, Y and Z. X Y Z Which of the rows correctly identifies structures X,
  18. June 2022, Paper 3, Q2(a) (4 marks): A group of scientists assessed the harm caused by various drugs, including alcohol and heroin. The scientists produced weighted ‘harm scores’ for the drugs in s
  19. June 2022, Paper 3, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): State the type of membrane protein represented by the GABA receptor. [1]
  20. June 2022, Paper 3, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Compare and explain the effects of alcohol and heroin on the postsynaptic neurone in Fig. 2.2. [3]
  21. June 2022, Paper 3, Q2(c) (6 marks): Drugs such as alcohol, heroin and caffeine produce psychological and physical effects in people. (c)* A student planned to test the effect of caffeine on reacti
  22. November 2021, Paper 1, Q25 (1 mark): The table shows the roles of three different chemicals in the transmission of nerve impulses across a synaptic cleft. Which of the rows, A to D, is correct? Bin
  23. November 2021, Paper 1, Q36(a) (2 marks): Complete the table by deciding whether each of the statements about maintaining the resting potential of a neurone is true (T) or false (F). Statement True (T)
  24. November 2021, Paper 1, Q36(b) (3 marks): The graph shows the changes in potential across a neurone membrane during an action potential. Y +30 0 Membrane potential (mV) threshold – 55 1 at rest – 65 5 e
  25. November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(a) (4 marks): Fig. 3.1 is a diagram of a section through the human brain. A B C D F E G Fig. 3.1 The following table contains statements about areas of the brain shown in Fig
  26. November 2020, Paper 3, Q4(a) (4 marks): In the space below, draw an annotated tissue plan of Fig. 4.1. Include labels for the following structures: central canal, grey matter, white matter, and mening
  27. November 2020, Paper 3, Q4(c) (2 marks): The autonomic nervous system is divided into two branches, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Complete the table to compare the sympathetic an
  28. June 2018, Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials have similarities and differences. Which of the options, A to D, is a feature of an excitatory, but not inhibi
  29. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): State one similarity and one difference between the structure of motor and sensory neurones. similarity difference [2]
  30. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why a spinal cord injury (SCI) causes both paralysis and loss of feeling below the site of the injury. [2]
  31. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(a)(iii) (2 marks): Describe the role of the myelin sheath in the propagation of nerve impulses. [2]
  32. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(a)(iv) (1 mark): The Advance Notice discusses oligodendrocytes, which are cells found only in the central nervous system (CNS). State the name of the cells that perform a functi
  33. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): State the name of an imaging technique that could be used for this purpose. [1]
  34. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): Describe how the technique you have given in (i) can be used to help surgeons to assess the location and extent of injury. [3]
  35. June 2017, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): The statements below relate to the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 The ANS is a division of the peripheral n
  36. June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain how the spontaneous opening of a VGSC in a pain receptor leads to the generation of a nerve impulse in the sensory neurone attached to the pain receptor
  37. June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Three different types of VGSC in different parts of the nervous system have been linked to neuropathic pain. Drugs to treat neuropathic pain are now being devel

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