Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)
Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Topic 8: Nerve Impulses and Synapses Exam Questions
Free Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) exam questions on Topic 8: Nerve Impulses and Synapses, with mark schemes. Covers resting and action potentials, saltatory conduction, synapses and the effects of drugs.
Topic 8: Nerve Impulses and Synapses exam questions
These packs of real past exam questions cover the whole of Topic 8: Grey Matter, including Topic 8: Nerve Impulses and Synapses. Work through every question on this sub-topic, then mark your answers against the mark scheme.
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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 8: Nerve Impulses and Synapses
This part of Topic 8 explains how messages travel through the nervous system. Expect questions on action potential graphs.
What you need to know
- Resting potential About -70 mV, maintained by the sodium-potassium pump and membrane permeability.
- Action potential Depolarisation as sodium channels open, repolarisation as potassium channels open, hyperpolarisation and the refractory period.
- Saltatory conduction In myelinated neurones the impulse jumps between nodes of Ranvier, increasing speed.
- Synapses Neurotransmitter release by exocytosis, binding to receptors, and the effects of drugs such as MDMA and L-dopa.
Common mistakes in Topic 8: Nerve Impulses and Synapses
- Saying sodium ions move out during depolarisation.
- Forgetting the refractory period makes impulses one-way.
- Confusing excitatory and inhibitory synapses.
Try three Topic 8: Nerve Impulses and Synapses exam-style questions
1. Describe what happens during depolarisation. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Voltage-gated sodium channels open (1), sodium ions diffuse in, making the inside more positive (1).
2. Explain how myelination increases the speed of conduction. (2 marks)
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Myelin insulates the axon (1), so depolarisation only occurs at nodes of Ranvier and the impulse jumps between them (1).
3. Explain how L-dopa can help people with Parkinson's disease. (2 marks)
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L-dopa is converted to dopamine in the brain (1), raising dopamine levels to improve movement control (1).
Topic 8: Nerve Impulses and Synapses FAQs
What does this part of SNAB Topic 8 cover?
Nerve impulses, synapses and how drugs affect synaptic transmission.
Which paper tests Topic 8?
Papers 2 and 3.
Do I need to interpret action potential graphs?
Yes, identifying each phase and the ion movements involved.
Revise this topic with flashcards: Edexcel A Level Biology A (SNAB) 9BN0 Flashcards, with mark scheme answers for Anki and Quizlet.
