Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)
Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Topic 7: Muscles and Movement Exam Questions
Free Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) exam questions on Topic 7: Muscles and Movement, with mark schemes. Covers skeletal muscle structure, the sliding filament theory, joints and fast and slow twitch fibres.
Topic 7: Muscles and Movement exam questions
These packs of real past exam questions cover the whole of Topic 7: Run for Your Life, including Topic 7: Muscles and Movement. Work through every question on this sub-topic, then mark your answers against the mark scheme.
StemUp mark scheme flashcards
Edexcel A Level Biology A (SNAB) 9BN0 Flashcards (Anki & Quizlet)
Every answer is written in mark scheme wording, so you learn exactly what examiners give marks for. Use them on Anki or Quizlet, then test yourself with the questions on this page.
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About Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Topic 7: Muscles and Movement
This part of Topic 7 explains how muscles produce movement. Expect sliding filament sequencing questions.
What you need to know
- Structure Muscle fibres contain myofibrils made of sarcomeres with actin and myosin filaments.
- Sliding filament theory Calcium ions expose binding sites on actin, myosin heads form cross bridges, the power stroke pulls actin, and ATP detaches the head.
- Joints Antagonistic muscle pairs, tendons and ligaments.
- Fibre types Slow twitch fibres for endurance with many mitochondria; fast twitch for power using anaerobic respiration.
Common mistakes in Topic 7: Muscles and Movement
- Saying the filaments shorten (they slide).
- Forgetting the role of ATP in detaching myosin.
- Mixing up tendons and ligaments.
Try three Topic 7: Muscles and Movement exam-style questions
1. Describe the role of calcium ions in muscle contraction. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Calcium ions bind to troponin (1), moving tropomyosin and exposing binding sites on actin (1).
2. Explain the role of ATP in muscle contraction. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
ATP binds to the myosin head, causing it to detach from actin (1); hydrolysis of ATP re-cocks the head (1).
3. Give two features of slow twitch fibres. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Any two: many mitochondria, rich blood supply, myoglobin, fatigue slowly (1 each).
Topic 7: Muscles and Movement FAQs
What does this part of SNAB Topic 7 cover?
Muscle structure, contraction, joints and fibre types.
Which paper tests Topic 7?
Papers 2 and 3.
Do I need to draw a sarcomere?
Be able to label the A band, I band, H zone and Z lines.
Revise this topic with flashcards: Edexcel A Level Biology A (SNAB) 9BN0 Flashcards, with mark scheme answers for Anki and Quizlet.
