Coordination and control – the nervous system: OCR GCSE Biology A questions

Every OCR GCSE Biology A exam question on B3.1 Coordination and control – the nervous system, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 101 questions on Coordination and control – the nervous system, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): What describes the pathway of a reflex arc? A Effector motor neurone relay neurone sensory neurone receptor B Effector sensory neurone relay neurone motor neuro
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): Which part of the brain controls heart rate? A Cerebellum B Cerebrum C Medulla D Pituitary Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a) (3 marks): State which letter in the diagram performs each of the following functions: Controls the size of the pupil Focuses the light on the retina Transmits electrical
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b)(i) (2 marks): A student has an eye test. The optician tells the student that the focusing power of their eyes is –3.5 dioptres. Explain to the student what this result means
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b)(ii) (2 marks): Once short-sightedness has developed, it usually gets worse. Another student has a focusing power of –1.0 D which is changing by –0.5 D per year. Using a drug c
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which component of the nervous system detects stimuli? A Effector B Motor neurone C Receptor D Sensory neurone Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): In multiple sclerosis, the speed of nervous transmission is reduced. Damage to which part of the motor neurone will reduce the speed of nervous transmission? A
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a) (3 marks): State which letter in the diagram performs each of the following functions: Controls the size of the pupil Focuses the light on the retina Transmits electrical
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(b)(i) (2 marks): A student has an eye test. The optician tells the student that the focusing power of their eyes is –3.5 dioptres. Explain to the student what this result means
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(b)(ii) (2 marks): Once short-sightedness has developed, it usually gets worse. Another student has a focusing power of –1.0 D which is changing by –0.5 D per year. Using a drug c
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(a) (2 marks): Draw lines to link each part of the brain with its correct function. Part of the brain Function coordinates conscious cerebellum movement controls heart rate an
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(b) (2 marks): Dopamine is a neurotransmitter chemical that is released at synapses in the brain. Describe the function of a neurotransmitter chemical at a synapse. [2]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(c) (4 marks): Parkinson’s disease results in a reduction in dopamine in neurones deep in the brain. To try to identify the cause of the disease, scientists use two methods: •
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(d) (3 marks): Scientists now think that a protein produced in the brain which helps brain cells survive is lost in Parkinson’s patients. A clinical trial of a possible treatm
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): Which part of the eye controls the size of the pupil? A Iris B Lens C Optic nerve D Retina Your answer [1]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): The diagram shows the structure of the human brain. A B D C Which part of the brain is highly folded into two hemispheres and controls language and memory? Your
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a) (5 marks): Complete the reflex arc diagram. Use the words from the list. effector motor neurone receptor relay neurone sensory neurone stimulus synapse A sharp object pier
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b) (3 marks): Neurones can be divided into two types depending on whether they have a myelin sheath. The graph shows the relationship between the speed of nerve impulses and
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c)(i) (2 marks): Both the octopus and humans have a central nervous system (CNS). Give one similarity and one difference between the octopus CNS and the human CNS. Similarity Di
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c)(ii) (1 mark): In both the octopus and the human nervous systems, the eyes are close to the brain. Suggest one advantage of this arrangement. [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(b)(iii) (3 marks): People that have SMA cannot produce a protein that is needed for their motor neurones to function. Explain why person C has difficulty moving their legs. [3]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): The diagram shows the structure of the human brain. A B D C Which part of the brain is highly folded into two hemispheres and controls language and memory? Your
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Sensory neurones conduct impulses towards the central nervous system. Which row is correct about what is included in the structure of a sensory neurone? Axon De
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): A person focuses on a distant object. Which row describes the ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments in their eye? Ciliary muscles Suspensory ligaments A cont
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(a) (3 marks): Compare the nervous system of the octopus in Fig. 19.1 to that of a human. [3]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b) (2 marks): Fig. 19.2 shows changes in an octopus’s eye when it adjusts from focusing on a distant object to focusing on a near object. Fig. 19.2 Near object Distant object
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the eye size : body mass ratio for the octopus. Ratio = [2]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(c)(ii) (2 marks): Owls hunt at night. Explain how their eye size : body mass ratio makes them adapted to hunt at night. [2]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b) (3 marks): All three diseases affect proteins in different parts of the body. Explain why each of these diseases cause difficulty in moving the legs. Huntington’s MD SMA [
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): A patient is diagnosed with a detached retina. This means that part of the retina has moved forward, away from the back of the eye. What will the patient be una
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): A person has a disease that has destroyed the motor neurones in their leg. What is the most likely outcome for the person? Can move leg Can feel foot being tick
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Synapses are junctions between neurones. For an impulse to be generated in another neurone, a chemical must be released into the gap. Chemical released Directio
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): A person was in an accident and their memory is affected. Which part of the brain is most likely to have been injured? A Cerebrum B Hypothalamus C Medulla D Pit
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(a) (5 marks): The table lists some structures in the human body. Identify whether each structure is: • part of the nervous system • part of the endocrine (hormonal) system •
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(c) (4 marks): Person D is very sensitive to bright light and has difficulty controlling their balance. Explain why this is. [4]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): A person was in an accident and their memory is affected. Which part of the brain is most likely to have been injured? A Cerebrum B Hypothalamus C Medulla D Pit
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): What is the correct sequence in a reflex arc? A Effector receptor sensory neurone relay neurone motor neurone B Motor neurone sensory neurone relay neurone effe
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): Synapses are junctions between neurones. For an impulse to be generated in another neurone, a neurotransmitter chemical diffuses across the gap and binds to rec
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(b) (2 marks): Hormones are part of the endocrine system. Describe two differences between the endocrine system and the nervous system. 1 2 [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(c) (4 marks): Person D is very sensitive to bright light and has difficulty controlling their balance. Explain why this is. [4]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe the eye defect this person could have. [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest how this eye defect can be corrected. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b) (1 mark): Write down the role of the ciliary body in the eye. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21 (6 marks): 21* When a fly lands on a horse, the horse’s skin shivers. This response to the fly is a reflex action. Describe the sequence of events that occurs in the body
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(a) (2 marks): Describe the role of the retina and suggest why damage to this part of the eye could cause blindness. [2]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(c)(i) (2 marks): One year later, both patients’ eyesight had improved. Explain why the newspaper headline claim of a cure may be misleading. [2]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(c)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one other factor the researchers need to find out before this treatment is made widely available to all people with AMD. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Which row in the table shows the order of neurones an impulse travels through in a reflex arc? Order of neurones in a reflex arc First Second Third A sensory ne
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): The eye changes in different light conditions. View A View B What statement explains the changes between view A and view B? A The iris makes the pupil smaller.
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a)(i) (1 mark): Fig. 20.1 shows a cell from the nervous system. This cell helps control the body by transmitting impulses away from receptors. Fig. 20.1 What is the name of thi
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b) (2 marks): The eye is part of the nervous system. Different parts of the eye can perform different functions to help with sight. Draw lines to connect the correct eye part
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(c)(i) (6 marks): (i)* All colours of visible light can be produced by combinations of blue, green and red light. Different cells in the eye detect blue, green or red light. Some
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(c)(ii) (1 mark): Opsin is a protein needed to detect different wavelengths of visible light. Opsin is a protein made inside cells in the light sensitive part of the eye. Which s
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(d) (1 mark): The brain processes information from the eyes. This occurs in the same part of the brain responsible for controlling conscious thought. Which part of the brain
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b) (3 marks): Adult Blandford flies often bite people and feed by sucking up blood. Before they start feeding, they inject proteins into the skin. These proteins have two act
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c) (2 marks): Cancer can also occur in the brain. The diagram shows the position of a tumour in the brain. Position of tumour Explain why operating to remove this tumour coul
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(b)(ii) (2 marks): The female flies often bite people and feed by sucking up blood. Before they start feeding, they inject proteins into the skin. These proteins block sensory rec
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): Look at the diagram showing an eye defect. What is the defect and which lens could be used to correct it? A Long-sightedness, corrected with a concave lens B Lo
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): Anaesthetics used during operations slow down breathing and heart rate. Which part of the brain do anaesthetics act on to do this? A Cerebrum B Cerebellum C Med
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a)(i) (1 mark): Which part of the skin detects something touching the back of the hand? [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a)(ii) (2 marks): The body responds when something touches the back of the hand. Complete the sentences to explain how this happens. The receives impulses from the skin along sen
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Look at the diagram showing an eye defect. What is the defect and which lens could be used to correct it? A Long-sightedness, corrected with a concave lens B Lo
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Anaesthetics used during operations slow down breathing and heart rate. Which part of the brain do anaesthetics act on to do this? A Cerebrum B Cerebellum C Med
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): A motor neurone is usually stimulated by a relay neurone. Which part of the motor neurone is first stimulated by a relay neurone? A B C D Your answer [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): Which row in the table represents the eye when a person is in a dark room? Front view of Circular iris iris and pupil muscles A contracted B relaxed C relaxed D
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): The diagram shows a reflex arc. Spinal cord in section Y Z X Receptor Femur A patient needs treatment for a leg injury. An anaesthetic is injected to block nerv
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a) (1 mark): Parts of the body, such as the fingers, are moved by the contraction of muscles. In a voluntary movement the brain sends nerve impulses to muscle fibres along m
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(b)(i) (2 marks): Suggest how the brain can finely control the force of contraction in the muscles controlling the fingers. [2]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(b)(ii) (3 marks): Fig. 21.3 shows a motor neurone supplying a muscle that moves the leg. Fig. 21.3 Explain the reason for the difference in the neurone supplying this muscle comp
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(c) (6 marks): Dart players use their fingers to throw darts at a dart board. Dart players A and B have different throwing styles. Fig. 21.4 shows the throwing styles of the t
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): Which part of the eye does not function correctly in colour blindness? A Cornea B Iris C Lens D Retina Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): Which label is pointing to the myelin sheath in a motor neurone? A B D C Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): What is the name of the gap between two neurones? A Axon B Dendrite C Lumen D Synapse Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): Light travels through different parts to reach the back of the eye. Which structure does light pass through first when it enters the eye? A Cornea B Lens C Pupi
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): Which part of the brain controls the heartbeat and breathing? A Cerebrum B Hypothalamus C Medulla D Pituitary Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): Which condition can be caused by a lens in the eye that is too thick? A Long-sightedness B Colour blindness C Diabetes D Short-sightedness Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): The eye switches from focusing on a distant television to focusing on a close up newspaper. Which change happens to the suspensory ligaments and to the lens dur
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a)(i) (4 marks): Understanding of brain function has increased in recent years. However, there are still problems that scientists face that are preventing a complete understandi
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a)(ii) (2 marks): When scientists complete their research they usually publish it in journals or online. Give two reasons why scientists publish their results. 1 2 [2]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the speed of diffusion in a person with Alzheimer’s disease. Use this formula: speed = distance ÷ time Give your answer in metres per second. Speed of
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): In the brain of a healthy person the speed of diffusion is 0.2 metres per second. How does the result obtained in part (i) account for the symptoms of Alzheimer
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the mode for the right dominant hand. Answer = seconds [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a)(ii) (2 marks): The mean and mode for the left non-dominant hand are identical. What other conclusions can be made about reaction times in these ten students? [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(b) (2 marks): How could these students improve the recording of their results? [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(c) (3 marks): The students want to investigate reaction times to see if left-handed people are faster than right-handed people. How could they develop the experiment to test
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(d) (1 mark): The reaction in the experiment involves a stimulus. What is the stimulus in the reaction involving catching the ruler? [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(e) (2 marks): Complete the sequence of a reflex arc. Sensory Response Stimulus CNS Effector neurone [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a) (3 marks): Diagram B shows the girl’s left eye after she enters the café. Explain how you can tell this and how this change happens. [3]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b)(i) (2 marks): Name the eye defect in each person. Person X Person Y [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b)(ii) (3 marks): Identify the type of corrective lens needed by person X and Y and explain how the lenses work. [3]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b)(ii) (1 mark): Why does the condition affect the ability to see properly? [1]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a) (3 marks): Diagram B shows the girl’s left eye after she enters the café. Explain how you can tell this and how this change happens. [3]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Name the eye defect in each person. Person X Person Y [2]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b)(ii) (3 marks): Identify the type of corrective lens needed by person X and Y and explain how the lenses work. [3]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(a)(i) (2 marks): Identify two possible sources of error in this method of measuring reaction time. 1 2 [2]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(a)(ii) (3 marks): A second method of measuring reaction time involves a computer reaction time program shown in Fig. 19.2. Each student is asked to click the “Start” button. Afte
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the median for the right dominant hand. Answer = [2]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b)(ii) (2 marks): The mean and median for the left non-dominant hand are identical. What other conclusions can be made about reaction times in these ten students? [2]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(c)(ii) (2 marks): The diagram shows the brain. Y Name part Y and explain why it is an important area of the brain in the research of MND. Part Y: Explanation: [2]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(c)(iii) (2 marks): Measuring the speed of the nerve impulse in the brain is more difficult than using stem cells. Suggest two reasons why. [2]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b)(ii) (3 marks): If the baby has retinitis pigmentosa, it will have normal colour vision but will not be able to see well in dim light. Explain why. [3]

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