AS Biopsych qs

Question 1

Identify the two components of the peripheral nervous system, and explain two differences in their organisation and/or functions. (4)

Answer 1

• Somatic nervous system (SNS)
• Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
• the ANS controls internal organs and glands of the body while the SNS controls skeletal muscle
• ANS is involuntary and SNS is voluntary

Question 2

Identify two glands that form part of the endocrinal system and outline their functions. (4)

Answer 2

• Testes releases testosterone which causes the development of male characteristics e.g. growth of facial hair
• Thyroid gland releases thyroxine which regulates and controls metabolism

Question 3

Give one difference between the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system. (1)

Answer 3

• ANS is involuntary whereas SNS is voluntary

Question 4

Information can only travel in one direction at a synapse. Explain why neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse. (3)

Answer 4

• Diffusion of the neurotransmitters mean they can only go from high to low concentration
• the receptors for the neurotransmitters are only present on the postsynaptic membrane
• synaptic vesicles are only released from the presynaptic membrane

Question 5

Using an example of a gland and hormone, outline the function of the endocrine system.
Do not use the adrenal gland/adrenaline as your example. (4)

Answer 5

• ENS helps to regulate the activity of cells and organs in the body
• ENS communicates chemical messages to the organs of the body
• the thyroid gland produces thyroxine, which regulates metabolism

Question 6

Zapurpain acts like an inhibitory neurotransmitter at the synapse.
Explain how Zapurpain might affect the process of synaptic transmission through
inhibition. (4)

Answer 6

• when an inhibitory neurotransmitter binds to the post-synaptic receptors it makes the post-synaptic cell less likely to fire
• Summation – if inhibitory inputs are higher than excitatory Zapurpain would decrease the overall activity

Question 7

Describe the structure and function of a neuron (6)

Answer 7

• Neurons enable communication within the nervous system
• branch-like dendrites extend from the cell body (containing genetic material)
• dendrites carry information towards the cell body
• dendrites can receive information from other neurons
• axons carry messages away from the cell body, if covered in a myelin sheath the peed of nerve transmission could be increased
• axon terminals contain neurotransmitters

Question 8

Describe the divisions of the nervous system. (6)

Answer 8

• the nervous system is divided into the CNS and PNS
• the CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord
• the PNS is devised into the ANS and SNS
• SNS consists of sensory and motor neurons to carry sensory and motor information to and from the CNS and enables reflex actions
• the ANS is involuntary
• the ANS is divided into the sympathetic nervous system, prepares for fight or flight, and the parasympathetic nervous system, providing rest and digest functions.