2018

Question 1

Give one difference between the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous
system.

Answer 1

Marks for this question: AO1 = 1
1 mark for any one of the following:
 the autonomic nervous system is involuntary whereas the somatic nervous system is under
conscious control.
 ANS controls smooth muscles and glands whereas the SNS controls skeletal muscles.
Credit other relevant differences such as structural differences.

Question 2

Name the types of neurons labelled A, B and C on Figure 1 below. Write your answers in
the boxes provided. (SEE PAPER)

Answer 2

Marks for this question: AO1 = 3
1 mark for each of the following:
A = Sensory Neuron
B = Relay Neuron (accept interneurons/connector neuron)
C = Motor Neuron

Question 3

Information can only travel in one direction at a synapse.
Explain why neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse.

Answer 3

Marks for this question: AO1 = 3
Award 1 mark for each of the following points (up to 3 marks):
 the synaptic vesicles containing the neurotransmitter are only present on/released from the
presynaptic membrane
 the receptors for the neurotransmitters are only present on the postsynaptic membrane
 it is the binding of the neurotransmitter to the receptor which enables the signal/information to be
passed/transmitted on (to the next neuron).
 Diffusion of the neurotransmitters mean they can only go from high to low concentration, so can only
travel from the presynaptic to the postsynaptic membrane.

Question 4

The fight or flight response enabled our ancestors to survive but can be less helpful in
response to more modern stressors.
Explain how the body responds during fight or flight and why this could be unhelpful in a
driving test situation.

Answer 4

Possible content:
 the fight or flight response causes adrenaline to be released which can cause an increased
production of sweat and faster heart and breathing rate which could be off putting and unhelpful
during a driving test (e.g. sweaty hands may make it harder to grip the steering wheel).
 the fight or flight response enable a quick reaction to fight the threat or run away from it but
neither of these options would be helpful in a driving test as if you ran away or attacked the
instructor you would fail the test.
Credit other relevant material.

Question 5

Julia complains that her baby is sleeping all day and keeping her awake all night.
Using your knowledge of research into exogenous zeitgebers, discuss what Julia could do
to encourage her baby to sleep more at night.

Answer 5

Possible content:
 external cues act as zeitgebers (Klein and Wegmann)
 these cues may influence/entrain biological rhythms (endogenous pacemakers)
 light suppresses the production of melatonin from the pineal gland which influences people’s
sleep/wake cycle
 knowledge of relevant studies.
Possible application:
 Julia should try to keep her baby in the dark at night (eg shutting curtains and keeping lights off)
but expose her baby to light in the day time (eg keep curtains open, go outside)
 Julia should use social cues, eg ensuring verbal communication, eye contact and feeding are
only in the day time.
Possible discussion:
 use of research to provide support for the importance of light as a zeitgeber, eg Vetter et al.
(2011), Burgess et al. (2003), Campbell and Murphy (1998)
 use of research to provide evidence against the importance of social cues as a zeitgeber, eg
Lughton Miles et al. (1977)
 discussion of methodological issues is only creditworthy if the implications are linked to the stem
 discussion for and against the role of light as an exogenous zeitgeber
 counterarguments, eg the role of endogenous pacemakers – biological clock
Credit other relevant material.
Note: Application should be sensible and reasoned