Past Exam Questions

Question 1

What fluid fills the rear chamber of the human eye?

Answer 1

Vitreous humour

Question 2

What is the function of the vitreous humour?

Answer 2

A viscous solution which supports the eye by exerting an outward pressure on the eyeball

Question 3

What are the two types of light receptor cells found in the eye?

Answer 3

Rods

Cones

Question 4

What are the roles of rods and cones?

Answer 4

Cones detect colour

Rods detect black and white light

Question 5

What is the transparent covering in front of the cornea?

Answer 5

Conjunctiva

Question 6

What is the role of the conjunctiva in the eye?

Answer 6

A thin membrane that protects the sclera from infection

Question 7

Suggest an advantage to humans of having two eyes

Answer 7

It allows for depth perception and an increased visual field
It allows allows for the blind spot in one eye to be seen using the opposite eye and vice-versa

Question 8

Name a disorder of the ear?

Answer 8

Glue ear

Question 9

Name a corrective measure for glue ear?

Answer 9

Grommets are inserted into the eardrum which allow air into the middle ear and forced fluid down the Eustachian tube.

Question 10

Outline the function of the pinna

Answer 10

The pinna helps to collect and channel vibrations into the auditory canal

Question 11

To which part of the body does the Eustachian tube link the ear?

Answer 11

Throat/pharynx

Question 12

What is the role of the Eustachian tube?

Answer 12

Equalises pressure on either side of the eardrum thus preventing damage to the eardrum caused by differences in pressure between the outer and inner ear.

Question 13

Name another part of the ear that has a function similar to that of the stirrup

Answer 13

Hammer or anvil

Question 14

Suggest why there are three semi-circular canals in each ear

Answer 14

To control balance on three dimensions/axes

Question 15

Name the part of the eye that has a corresponding function to the cochlea of the ear.

Answer 15

Retina

Question 16

Explain how the retina of the eye has a corresponding function to the cochlea of the ear

Answer 16

Both contain receptors and generate impulses which they send to the brain

Question 17

Name the structure that determines the diameter of the pupil

Answer 17

Iris

Question 18

Why is there a mechanism for changing the diameter of the pupil?

Answer 18

To control the amount of light that enters the eye

To prevent too much light entering the eye

Question 19

Name two parts of the eye which have curved surfaces?

Answer 19

Cornea

Lens

Question 20

How does the curvature of the eye contribute to its functioning?

Answer 20

It allows for the focusing of light and the refraction of light

Question 21

Suggest a benefit for herbivores having eyes located at the sides of the skull

Answer 21

To give them a wider field of vision to detect predators

Question 22

Suggest a benefit for carnivores having eyes located close together at the front of the skull?

Answer 22

To better focus on prey

For better judgment of distance

Question 23

In what part of the eye are nerve impulses generated?

Answer 23

Retina

Question 24

Suggest one way by which the ear may be protected

Answer 24

Wax or ear protection

Question 25

Outline the roles of sensory ligaments in vision

Answer 25

Hold the lens in place and is involved in the changing of the lens shape

Question 26

Outline the role of cones in vision

Answer 26

Detect colour

Question 27

Outline the role of the optic nerve in vision

Answer 27

Brings impulses from the retina to the brain

Question 28

Outline the role of the brain in vision

Answer 28

Receives information from the brain and then interprets it

Question 29

How does the iris work?

Answer 29

The iris is the coloured, muscular part of the eye which controls the amount of light entering the eye
The pupil is the opening in the iris and its size depends on the amount of light which the iris allows to let into the eye
i.e. the size of the pupil will be small when there is too much light getting into the eye and the pupil will be large when there is a small amount of light getting into the eye