GCSE Biology Homeostasis & nerves questions by topic

Complete the sentences about homeostasis and control.

1. (a)Homeostasis regulates the __________ conditions of the body.[1]
2. (b)Receptors detect a change called a __________.[1]
3. (c)Muscles and glands are called __________.[1]
4. (d)Negative feedback responses __________ the original change.[1]

Put the reflex arc in order and answer about reflexes.

1. (a)Number these 1–4: effector acts; stimulus detected by receptor; motor neurone carries impulse; sensory neurone carries impulse to spinal cord.[4]

A student catches a falling ruler five times. The distances are 16, 20, 18, 22 and 19 cm.

1. (a)Calculate the mean distance fallen.[2]
2. (b)Explain why five trials are better than one.[2]

Match each neurone or cell to its role.

1. (a)Carries impulses from the CNS to a muscle.[1]
2. (b)Carries impulses from a receptor to the spinal cord.[1]
3. (c)Detects chemicals dissolved on the tongue.[1]

This question is about homeostasis in the human body.

1. (a)State what homeostasis means.[2]
2. (b)Name two internal conditions it regulates.[1]
3. (c)Explain why cells need conditions kept steady.[1]

A girl’s hand brushes a hot radiator and she pulls it away at once.

1. (a)Put these in the correct order: sensory neurone, receptor, effector, motor neurone, stimulus.[1]
2. (b)Name the receptors stimulated here.[1]
3. (c)Name the type of effector that pulls the hand away.[1]
4. (d)State whether this action is conscious or unconscious.[1]

Describe how the nervous system produces a fast response to a stimulus.

1. (a)Describe the roles of the CNS, neurones and receptors.[3]
2. (b)Describe what happens at a synapse.[3]

Explain how negative feedback keeps blood glucose within limits.

1. (a)Explain the response when glucose rises too high.[3]
2. (b)Explain why the loop is called negative feedback.[2]
3. (c)Name the coordination centre for blood glucose.[1]

A class tests reaction time before and after a standard caffeine drink.

1. (a)Describe the trend in the data.[2]
2. (b)State one variable the class must control.[1]
3. (c)Explain one limitation of comparing only three students.[2]

Explain why a reflex protects the body.

1. (a)Describe the reflex pathway for touching something sharp.[3]
2. (b)Explain why the conscious brain is not used.[2]

This question is about the junctions between neurones.

1. (a)Name the junction between two neurones.[1]
2. (b)Describe what happens when an impulse arrives at the end of the first neurone.[2]
3. (c)Explain why impulses travel in one direction only across this junction.[2]

Three students each caught a falling ruler ten times; their mean drop distances are shown.

1. (a)State which student had the fastest reactions.[1]
2. (b)Convert student A’s mean distance into a reaction time (g = 9.8 m/s²). Give your answer to 3 significant figures.[2]
3. (c)Explain why a mean of ten catches is better than a single catch.[2]
4. (d)Give one source of random error in this practical.[1]

A student converts her mean 20 cm catch into a reaction time.

1. (a)Show that a 20 cm drop corresponds to about 0.20 s, using d = ½gt² with g = 9.8 m/s².[3]
2. (b)A classmate catches at 12 cm. Calculate their reaction time, to 2 decimal places.[2]
3. (c)State whose reactions were faster.[1]

Design a valid investigation into the effect of a computer game session on reaction time.

1. (a)Describe the method, controls and how results are compared.[6]

Explain how the structure of the nervous system supports both fast reflexes and slower conscious responses.

1. (a)Write a full explanation covering both routes.[6]

A student claims caffeine slows reactions, based on her own longer mean drop after a double espresso.

1. (a)Explain one biological reason her result may not reflect caffeine’s typical effect.[2]
2. (b)Suggest two design flaws that could explain the result.[2]
3. (c)State the conclusion the class should draw from one person’s data.[1]

Compare the nervous system’s responses with chemical (hormonal) control.

1. (a)Compare speed, duration and pathway.[6]

Explain how the reflex arc produces a fast, automatic response, and why the conscious decision to move the same hand arrives noticeably later.

1. (a)List, in order, the structures an impulse passes through between stimulus and response.[4]
2. (b)Explain why the conscious sensation of pain comes later.[2]