plumiHow does the nervous system help us respond to changes?: OCR GCSE Combined Science B questions
Every OCR GCSE Combined Science B exam question on B5.2 How does the nervous system help us respond to changes?, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q8(a)(i)
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Q1(b)(i)
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Q8(a)(i)
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Q8(a)(ii)
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Q1(a)(ii)
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All 51 questions on How does the nervous system help us respond to changes?, as a list
- June 2025, Biology Paper 5 Higher, Q8(a)(i) (3 marks): We blink to protect our eyes. The blink reflex happens when a stimulus is detected. Complete the boxes to explain how the blink reflex happens. Stimulus detecte
- June 2025, Biology Paper 5 Higher, Q8(a)(ii) (1 mark): Reflexes are involuntary responses. An example of a voluntary response is deciding to pick up a book. State the additional structure that is involved in a volun
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a) (2 marks): Receptors are found in sense organs. Draw lines to connect each sense organ with the correct stimulus. Sense organ Stimulus Ear Chemicals in the air Eye Light N
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Reflex responses are automatic. Write down one other word that describes a reflex response. [1]
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): A reflex response is carried out by an effector. What is the effector that pulls your hand away when you touch something hot? Tick (✓) one box. Brain Kidney Mus
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): What type of cell is shown in the diagram? Tick (v) one box. Blood cell Nerve cell Sperm cell [1]
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): Complete the sentence to explain what would happen if structure C was removed from the cell. Put a (ring) around the correct option. The speed of nervous impuls
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(c)(iii) (1 mark): Which part, A, B, C or D, allows impulses to be transmitted to other cells like this one? Tick (v) one box. A B C D [1]
- June 2024, Biology Paper 5 Higher, Q5(a) (6 marks): Organisms need to detect and respond to changes in their internal and external environment to survive. (a)* Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (3 marks): Alex touches a hot flame. Alex’s arm moves quickly away from the hot flame. This is a reflex response. The diagram shows the reflex arc. Relay Key neuron Direct
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q8(a)(i) (2 marks): Write the letters in the boxes to show the correct order of the statements. The first one has been done for you. E [2]
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest two improvements to the method that would ensure that the measurements taken were valid. Improvement 1 Improvement 2 [2]
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q8(b) (1 mark): The experiment is repeated three times. Table 8.1 shows the results. Table 8.1 Distance ruler falls Repeat (cm) 1 8.4 2 7.9 3 7.7 The students conduct a fourth
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q8(c) (2 marks): The students find some data they can use to convert the distance fallen by the ruler into a reaction time. This information is in Table 8.2. Table 8.2 Ruler rea
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q8(d) (3 marks): Another way of determining the reaction time is to use a formula. Calculate the reaction time when the ruler falls 0.0670 m. Use the formula: 2 d t = g t = reac
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Write the letters in the boxes to show the correct order of the statements. The first one has been done for you. E [2]
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest two improvements to the method that would ensure that the measurements taken were valid. Improvement 1 Improvement 2 [2]
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q1(b) (1 mark): The experiment is repeated three times. Table 1.1 shows the results. Table 1.1 Distance ruler falls Repeat (cm) 1 8.4 2 7.9 3 7.7 The students conduct a fourth
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q1(c) (2 marks): The students find some data they can use to convert the distance fallen by the ruler into a reaction time. This information is in Table 1.2. Table 1.2 Ruler rea
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q1(d) (3 marks): Another way of determining the reaction time is to use a formula. Calculate the reaction time when the ruler falls 0.0670 m. Use the formula: 2 d t = g t = reac
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q7(a) (3 marks): Suggest a method the students can use to measure how long it takes for the pupil reflex response to take place. [3]
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q7(b) (4 marks): Fig. 7.1 and Fig. 7.2 shows the diameter of the iris and the pupil before and after the reflex response. Fig. 7.1 – Before reflex response Fig. 7.2 – After refl
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(a) (1 mark): The reflex arc carries a nerve impulse. Which statement shows the correct order of the neurons that the impulse travels through? Tick (3) one box. From A to B t
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(b) (2 marks): Draw lines to connect each neuron with its correct name. Neuron Name A Motor neuron B Relay neuron C Sensory neuron [2]
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(c) (1 mark): Reflex actions have a survival advantage. Suggest one advantage of the reflex arc in the diagram. [1]
- June 2022, Biology Paper 5 Higher, Q3 (6 marks): 3* Our body responds when we touch something sharp. The diagram shows the reflex arc involved in this response. Sensory neuron Receptor Stimulus Relay neuron Sp
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(i) (4 marks): The student is given a method for their investigation, but it is not in the correct order. Method 1. After two minutes count the number of larvae visible. 2. Pu
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Some Petri dishes are glass. Why is it safer to use a plastic Petri dish? [1]
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): The student notices the lamp gets hot. Which explanation is correct for how heat could affect the results of the investigation? Tick (✓) one box. The heat is a
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b) (2 marks): The blow fly larvae’s eyes (receptors) are linked by the nervous system to its muscles (effectors). The list shows three other parts of the nervous system. Moto
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(c) (2 marks): Fig. 4.3 shows the structure of a synapse. Transmitter substance Neuron one Receptors Neuron two Gap Fig. 4.3 Complete each sentence about how a synapse works.
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (6 marks): 10* Amir and Nina are investigating the effects of caffeine on reaction time. The diagram shows their method. Describe how they could use a double-blind trial t
- June 2019, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(b) (6 marks): Our core body temperature needs to be kept at about 37 °C. Maintaining body temperature relies on our nervous system. (b)* The table contains information about
- June 2019, Biology Paper 5 Higher, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Use the data in the table to suggest the lowest light intensity that can be detected by the maggots. Explain your answer. Light intensity arbitrary units Explan
- June 2019, Biology Paper 5 Higher, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest how the scientist could develop the investigation to find out whether maggots can detect different colours of light. [2]
- June 2019, Biology Paper 5 Higher, Q6(b) (4 marks): Maggots can respond to stimuli such as light because they have a nervous system. Neurons in the nervous system connect to each other at synapses. Fig. 6.2 shows
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why the students work in pairs when carrying out the experiment. [1]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(a)(ii) (3 marks): Suggest three factors that need to be kept constant when carrying out the experiment. 1 2 3 [3]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest one factor that must be kept constant when making the measurements. [1]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mean distance the ruler dropped. Give your answer to 3 significant figures. Mean distance = mm [2]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): What was the median distance the ruler dropped? Put a ring around the correct answer. 107 mm 109 mm 110 mm 110.5 mm 115 mm [1]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): Which sequence places the parts of the nervous system in the correct order? Tick (✓) one box. eye → sensory neuron → spinal cord → brain → spinal cord → motor n
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): How are nerve impulses transmitted between neurons? Tick (✓) one box. Neurons are physically connected Through the brain Through the spinal cord Across gaps cal
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(d)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why orange drink was added to both groups’ drinks. [1]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(d)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why 240 cm3 of the drink was given in each experiment. [1]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q4(d)(iii) (2 marks): The reaction times of the two groups were monitored using a computer. Two connected lines of different length appear on the computer screen. The longer line cou
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q6(d)(ii) (1 mark): Which student has suggested a possible mechanism for the action of nicotine? Tick (✓) one box. Ali Kai Layla Sarah [1]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q1(d)(ii) (1 mark): Which student has suggested a possible mechanism for the action of nicotine? Tick (✓) one box. Ali Kai Layla Sarah [1]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the mean distance the ruler dropped. Mean distance = mm [1]
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q2(a)(ii) (5 marks): The time taken to catch the ruler, and therefore the person’s reaction time, can be calculated using the following formula: 2 d t = a t = time in seconds d = me
- June 2018, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q2(b) (4 marks): Receptors in the eye detect the stimulus that results in the ruler being caught. Use your knowledge of the nervous system to describe this sequence of events. [
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