Q1.

The diagram shows the structures involved in a reflex action.

(a)     On the diagram, name the structures labelled W, X and Y.

(3)

(b)     The control of blood sugar level is an example of an action controlled by hormones.

Give two ways in which a reflex action is different from an action controlled by
hormones.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q2.
This question is about reproduction.

(a)     Describe the difference between the way hormonal and non-hormonal methods of
contraception work.

Give one example of each method of contraception.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

The urine of women using hormonal methods of contraception contains high levels of
progesterone.

Concentrations of 1–3 ng/dm3 of progesterone are found in the water of rivers near
sewage outflow points.

Scientists investigated the effect of different concentrations of progesterone in water on

fish reproduction.

This is the method used.

1.     Prepare tanks of water containing different concentrations of progesterone.

2.     Put a breeding pair of fish into each tank.

3.     Record the number of eggs produced per day by the female in each tank for 14 days.

The table shows the results.

 
Concentration of
Mean number of eggs
progesterone in water
produced per day
in ng/dm 3

0.0 28.6

0.8 4.5

1.5 3.2

3.0 2.8

10.0 1.1

20.0 0.2

(b)     Plot the data from the table on the grid.

You should:
•        label each axis
•        use a suitable scale
•        draw a line of best fit.

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 (4)

(c)     Describe the effect on fish reproduction of the concentrations of progesterone found
in rivers near sewage outflows.

Use data from your graph.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q3.
The figure below shows glands in the human body.

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 (a)  Which organ system includes the glands shown in the figure above?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)  Which gland produces insulin?

Tick (✓) one box.

 

A B C D

(1)

(c)  Which gland produces hormones that stimulate the other glands to produce
hormones?

Tick (✓) one box.

 

A B C D

(1)

(d)  How do hormones travel from one gland to another gland?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e)  Name two glands involved in human reproduction.

Do not refer to glands shown on the figure above in your answer.

1  _________________________________________________________________

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 2  _________________________________________________________________
(2)

(f)   Ovulation test kits can help women know when they are most fertile.

Ovulation test kits detect the increase in the hormone that stimulates ovulation.

Which hormone is detected by ovulation test kits?

Tick (✓) one box.

 

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Luteinising hormone (LH)

Oestrogen

Progesterone

(1)

(g)  A new contraceptive drug for men is being tested.

The drug:
•   is given in one injection
•   stops sperm being able to fertilise eggs
•   is effective for up to 13 years.

Evaluate the use of the new drug compared with existing contraceptive methods.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________
(6)
(Total 13 marks)

Q4.
This question is about the nervous system.

(a)     Describe the function of receptors in the skin.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b)     A response is caused when information in the nervous system reaches an effector.

(i)      There are two different types of effector.

Complete the table to show:

•        the two different types of effector

•        the response each type of effector makes.

 
(4)

(ii)     Some effectors help to control body temperature.

Give one reason why it is important to control body temperature.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

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 Q5.
This question is about the human nervous system.

(a)     A ball is thrown towards a boy.

As the ball is thrown, information passes along a pathway to allow the boy to catch
the ball.

Draw one line from each action to the correct part of the pathway.
 
Part of the
Action  
pathway

    Coordinator

Retina cells in the eye detect the light from

   
the ball

    Effector

The impulse reaches the brain which ‘sees’

the ball and sends an impulse to the arm    
muscle

    Response

The muscle in the arm contracts    

    Receptor

The arm stretches to catch the ball    

    Stimulus
(3)

Students in a college made this hypothesis:

‘reaction time will increase as the time you have been awake increases.’

The students set up an investigation to test their hypothesis.

This is the method used.

1.      Find 5 volunteers willing to stay awake for 24 hours.

2.      Keep the volunteers in a room where they can study, use an exercise bike or watch
TV as they wish.

3.      Provide food, water, coffee and tea as requested.

4.      Measure the volunteers’ reaction time every 4 hours using a computer program.

(b)     What was the independent variable in this investigation?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

The students used a computer program to test reaction time.

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 (c)     Describe one other method that can be used to measure reaction time.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d)     Which method would you choose to use at your school?

Tick one box.

 

Computer program

Method described in
part (c)

Give one reason for your choice.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

The table shows the students’ results.

 
Reaction time in seconds
Time
awake in Volunteer  
hours
A B C D E Mean

0 0.25 0.33 0.35 0.21 0.27 0.28

4 0.20 0.30 0.31 0.19 0.26 0.25

8 0.21 0.28 0.33 0.20 0.27 0.26

12 0.26 0.40 0.58 0.22 0.30 0.35

16 0.44 0.49 0.83 0.27 0.75 X

20 0.64 0.55 1.11 0.39 1.40 0.82

24 0.92 0.61 1.15 0.45 1.35 0.90

(e)     Calculate value X in the table.

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

X = ____________________ seconds
(2)

(f)      Describe the pattern of results for mean reaction time as the time awake increases.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(g)     Do these results support the students’ hypothesis: ‘reaction time will increase as the
time you have been awake increases’?

Give one reason for your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(g)     Give two ways the students could improve their investigation to make it more valid.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 15 marks)

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Mark schemes

Q1.
(a)    Y - spinal cord / central nervous system / CNS
do not accept spine
ignore nerve / nervous system / coordinator
ignore grey / white matter
1

W - receptor / nerve ending

ignore sensory / neurone / stimulus
1

X - effector / muscle
allow gland
1

(b)     any two from: eg

accept reverse argument for each marking point

•       reflex action quicker

•       effect of reflex action over shorter period

•       hormone involves blood system and reflex involves neurones / nerve cells
ignore nervous system / nerves

•       reflex involves impulses and hormone involves chemicals

•       reflex action affects only one part of the body

ignore involves brain
ignore outside / inside stimuli
2
[5]

Q2.
(a)     (hormonal uses chemicals / synthetic) hormones to prevent an egg being released
allow ‘to prevent maturation of eggs’
1

(non-hormonal has a barrier which) prevents the sperm reaching an egg or prevents
implantation
1

a correct example of each type

1

(b)     suitable scales and axes labels correct

1

all points plotted accurately

allow 1 mark for 5 accurate points
2

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 line of best fit
allow a bar chart for max 3 marks
1

(c)     decrease egg production

1

by between 6–10 times

allow ecf from their graph
1
[9]

Q3.
(a)  endocrine (system)
ignore hormonal (system)
1

(b)  D
1

(c)  A
1

(d)  (in / through / via) blood

allow (in / through / via) bloodstream
allow (in / through / via) plasma
allow (in / through / via) blood vessels or named
blood vessel
1

(e)  ovary / ovaries
in either order
1

testis / testes
allow testicle(s)
allow placenta
if no other mark awarded allow gonad(s) for 1
mark
1

(f)  luteinising hormone (LH)

1

(g)  Level 3: A judgement, strongly linked and logically supported by a sufficient

range of correct reasons, is given.
5−6

Level 2: Some logically linked reasons are given. There may also be a simple
judgement.
3−4

Level 1: Relevant points are made. They are not logically linked. 1–2
1−2

No relevant content

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 0

Indicative content

Advantages
•   non-permanent like condom / diaphragm / IUDs / spermicides /
abstinence or unlike surgical sterilisation
•   longer lasting than condom / diaphragm / IUDs / spermicides
•   no need to remember unlike oral contraceptive
•   one injection rather than surgery for sterilisation
•   surgery (for sterilisation) has risks, for example, infection
•   no other method of long-lasting contraception (rather than sterilisation)
relies on men

Disadvantages
•   no protection from sexually transmitted diseases unlike barrier methods
or named barrier method
•   not as long lasting as (surgical) sterilisation
•   at clinical / drug trial stage, so unknown side effects
•   at clinical / drug trial stage, so unknown efficacy
•   do not know how long it will last (as info only states ‘up to 13 years’)
•   can stop taking a pill or using a condom if you change your mind / want
to get pregnant, whereas have to wait 13 years with the injection
•   (minor) risk of infection posed with an injection compared to no risk with
the oral contraceptive

For Level 3 references to advantages and disadvantages of the new drug

compared to named existing methods are required.
[13]

Q4.
(a)     detect changes in surroundings or detect stimuli
allow any named stimulus for skin
1

convert information to impulse

allow send impulse to sensory neurones / brain
1

(b)     (i)      
muscle contract(ion)

gland release / secrete /

produce
chemical /
hormone /
enzyme

1 mark for each effector

1 mark for each response
response must match type of effector (if given)
ignore examples
ignore relax(ation) / movement for contraction
do not allow expansion for muscles
4

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 (ii)     any one from:

•        (maintain temperature at which) enzymes work best

•        so chemical reactions are fast(est)
•        prevent damage to cells / enzymes
allow prevent enzymes being denatured (by temperature
being too high)
1
[7]

Q5.
(a)

4 correct = 3 marks
3 correct = 2 marks
2 correct = 1 mark
(4-5)
3

(b)     time awake

1

(c)     description of how to do a ‘ruler drop’

1

how to measure length in cm

1

a control measure taken

or
how to use a conversion chart to get reaction time
1

(d)     any one sensible reason:

for ruler drop test:

•        have lots of equipment
•        inexpensive equipment
•        many students can do it at same time

for computer test:

•        more accurate
•        more repeatable
•        students can cheat on ruler drop test
1

(e)     0.556….. or

(0.44+0.49+0.83+0.27+0.75)/5

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 1

0.56
an answer of 0.56 scores 2 marks
1

(f)      at first stays same / has slight dip (until 12 hours)

12 hours only needed once
1

increases from 12 hours awake

ignore ‘increases’ alone
1

(g)     either:
does support, because overall goes up
or
does not support, because it goes down / stays the same at first and only goes up
after 12 hours
1

(h)     any two from:

•        use more volunteers
•        make sure they all do the same activities at the same time
•        give them the same food and coffee/tea at the same time
•        control the age / gender of volunteers
•        make sure they all had a good night’s sleep the night before the investigation
began
2
[15]

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