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Chapter 11 Practice Paper: Homeostasis and the nervous system — question paper

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QQ/GCSE-BIO/CH11

GCSE (9–1) · GCSE Biology (Foundation and Higher)

Chapter 11 Practice Paper

Homeostasis and the nervous system

Duration: 40 minutes
Total: 30 marks
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Class:
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READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

  • Answer all questions.
  • Section A contains ten multiple-choice questions. Choose one answer, A, B, C or D, for each.
  • Section B contains structured questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
  • You may use a calculator.
  • The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
  • The total mark for this paper is 30.

Original practice material written for the MOE GCSE Biology syllabus. It is not an official MOE or school examination paper. Chapter 11: homeostasis and negative feedback, automatic control systems, nervous system structure, the reflex arc, synapses and neurotransmitters, and the reaction-time ruler-drop required practical.

For Examiner’s Use
Section A/ 10
Section B/ 20
Total/ 30

Section A: Multiple-choice questions[10 marks]

Choose one answer for each question. Each question is worth 1 mark.

  1. 1

    Homeostasis maintains

    1. Aa constant outside environment
    2. Boptimal internal conditions
    3. Cidentical cells
    4. Dconstant body size
    ( )
  2. 2

    Which trio completes the control system: receptors → … → effectors?

    1. Acoordination centres
    2. Bhormones
    3. Cneurotransmitters
    4. Dstimuli
    ( )
  3. 3

    The CNS is made of

    1. Abrain and spinal cord
    2. Bnerves and muscles
    3. Cskin and eyes
    4. Dheart and lungs
    ( )
  4. 4

    In the reflex arc, the sensory neurone carries impulses

    1. Afrom the CNS to muscles
    2. Bbetween muscles
    3. Cfrom the brain to the skin
    4. Dfrom receptor to CNS
    ( )
  5. 5

    Across a synapse, the signal travels as

    1. Aan electrical spark
    2. Ba diffusing chemical
    3. Ca sound wave
    4. Da blood cell
    ( )
  6. 6

    Reflexes are automatic because they

    1. Ause the conscious brain
    2. Bhappen in slow motion
    3. Cbypass conscious processing
    4. Dneed hormones
    ( )
  7. 7

    A ruler caught after a long fall indicates

    1. Afaster reactions
    2. Ba stronger grip
    3. Cbetter eyesight
    4. Dslower reactions
    ( )
  8. 8

    Mean drop distances: 17, 19, 18 cm. The mean is

    1. A17 cm
    2. B18 cm
    3. C19 cm
    4. D54 cm
    ( )
  9. 9

    Which pair is matched correctly?

    1. Aeffector — detects light
    2. Breceptor — contracts
    3. Cgland — secretes a hormone as an effector
    4. Dneurone — stores glucose
    ( )
  10. 10

    Negative feedback works by

    1. Aamplifying changes
    2. Bpreventing all change
    3. Creversing changes
    4. Dignoring set points
    ( )

Section B: Structured questions[20 marks]

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

  1. 11

    This question is about homeostasis.

    1. (a)

      Define homeostasis.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      Name two conditions regulated by homeostasis in humans.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      Name the three components that make up an automatic control system.

      [1]
  2. 12

    A student touches a hot dish and pulls her hand away instantly.

    1. (a)

      Describe the reflex arc from stimulus to response.

      [4]
    2. (b)

      Explain why this pathway is faster than a conscious decision.

      [2]
  3. 13

    This question is about synapses.

    1. (a)

      Describe how an impulse crosses a synapse.

      [3]
    2. (b)

      Explain why the signal travels in one direction only.

      [1]
  4. 14

    This question is about the ruler-drop practical.

    1. (a)

      A class records drops of 20, 23, 19 and 22 cm for one student. Calculate the mean.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      State two variables that must be controlled between trials.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      Suggest why a computer-measured reaction test may be more valid.

      [1]

— End of paper —