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GCSE BIOLOGY (AQA)

Unit 1 Nerves & Hormones
End of Topic Assessment

Time allowed: 30 minutes

Instructions:
 Use blue or black ink or ball-point pen.
 Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
 Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
 All working must be shown.
 Do all rough work in this book.
 Cross through any work you do not want marked.

Information:
 The maximum mark for this paper is 30.
 Mark allocations are shown in brackets.

For Teacher’s Use

Total (30)

Grade
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1. The diagram shows part of the control system involved in the female reproductive cycle.

Pituitary gland

Produces FSH

ovary

Produces oestrogen Eggs mature

Lining develops

(a) How does FSH get from the pituitary gland to the ovary?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1 mark)

(b) The pituitary gland release another hormone involved in the menstrual cycle. Name this
hormone and explain its effects.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(2 marks)

(c) High levels of oestrogen inhibit the further production of FSH. One drug that is used to
treat female infertility is clomiphene. Clomiphene blocks the inhibitory effect of oestrogen
on FSH production. Explain how this may help in the treatment of infertility.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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(2 marks) __
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Lining develops Pituitary Produces FSH

ovary Eggs mature
Produces
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2. The diagram below shows a simple reflex arc.

(a) Name structures X and Y, and describe their functions.

X ……….….………………………………………..………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………...……

Y ……………………………………………………………………………………………….……

………………………………………………………………………………………………...……
(5 marks)

(b) The diagram below shows some of the details of region Z.

(i) Name the microscopic gap shown in the diagram above.

………………………………………………………………………………………………
(1 mark)

(ii) Describe how impulses are transmitted across this gap.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

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(3 marks)

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3. The diagram below is of a neurone.

(a) (i) What cell structure is label X indicating?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(1 mark)

(ii) What region of the neurone is label Y indicating?

…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………
(1mark)

(b) Describe 2 ways that neurones are specialised, and explain how this enables them to
carry out their function.

1 ...……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

2 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

(4 marks)
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4. A runner might drink a special ‘sports drink’ at intervals during a marathon race. The table shows the
substances present in a sports drink.
Substance Percentage

Water

Sugar 5.0

Ions 0.2

(a) Complete the table to show the percentage of water in the sports drink.
(1 mark)

(b) The runner sweats and also breathes heavily during the race.

(i) Why does the runner need to sweat?

…………..……………………………………………………………………..…………

…………..……………………………………………………………………..…………
(1 mark)

(ii) Which two substances in the table are lost from the body in sweat?

…………..……………………………………………………………………..…………
(1 mark)

(iii) Which substance in the table is lost from the body during breathing?

…………..……………………………………………………………………..…………
(1 mark) __
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5. Plants produce a chemical called auxin to control their growth. The diagram shows how
the tip of a plant grows in response to the direction of light. The arrows inside the
plants tip represent the movement of auxin.

(a) (i) What is the name of this type of response?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1 mark)

(ii) Explain how auxin is involved in bringing about the growth shown in diagram B.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(3 marks)

(b) Name two other stimuli that influence the direction that plants grow.

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(2 marks) __
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END OF QUESTIONS