Neuronal Communication (OCR A Level Biology)

Exam Questions

1 hour27 questions
1
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Which of the following rows, A to D, shows a correct difference between myelinated and unmyelinated neurones?

  Myelinated neurone Unmyelinated neurones
A Impulse transmission is slower Impulse transmission is faster
B Action potential occurs at the nodes of Ranvier Action potential can happen anywhere along the membrane of the axon
C Consists of an axon Consists of Schwann cells
D Saltatory conduction cannot occur Saltatory conduction can occur

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    2
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    Which statement describes an aspect of resting potential?

    • The axon is permeable to sodium ions

    • The inside of the axon is negatively charged compared to the outside

    • Potassium ions are pumped out of the axon by active transport

    • 3 potassium ions are pumped into the axon by active transport

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    3
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    Which of the statements about the Pacinian corpuscle is/are correct?

    1 Pacinian corpuscles are transducers that converts mechanical pressure into electrical impulses
    2 The lamellae layers contain stretch-mediated sodium ion channels
    3 A generator potential is produced when sodium ions leave the axon

    • 1, 2 and 3

    • Only 1 and 2

    • Only 2 and 3

    • Only 1

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    4
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    The image below shows changes in membrane potential during an action potential.ocr-a-5-3e-mcq-q4-action-potential-

    Which of the following describes the process taking place at P?

    • Voltage-gated sodium ion channels in the axon membrane open

    • Voltage-gated potassium ion channels in the axon membrane open

    • Diffusion of potassium ions out of the axon

    • Diffusion of sodium ions out of the axon

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    5
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    The figure below shows a drawing of a synapse.Qx52aH3c_ocr-a-5-3e-mcq-q5-synapse

    Which of the rows, A to D, correctly identifies the name of the structure labelled X and the functions of the structures labelled Y and Z?

      Name of structure X Function of structure Y Function of structure Z
    A Synaptic cleft Allows an influx of calcium ions Binds to neurotransmitter
    B Synaptic cleft Allows an influx of sodium ions Binds to calcium ions
    C Synaptic knob Allows an influx of calcium ions Binds to neurotransmitter
    D Synaptic knob Allows an influx of sodium ions Binds to calcium ions

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      Refer to the diagram below of a synapse.q14-paper-1-nov-2020-ocr-a-level-biology

      Which of the following statements, A to D, describes events occurring at a synapse?

      • Acetylcholine is broken down by enzymes so that it can bind to structure K.

      • An action potential causes structure J to close.

      • Structure J is a voltage gated Ca2+ channel.

      • Structure L is released by exocytosis.

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      2
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      Refer to the diagram below of a synapse.q14-paper-1-nov-2020-ocr-a-level-biology

      GABA is a neurotransmitter.

      GABA reduces the number of action potentials in the postsynaptic neurone by opening chloride ion channels in the post-synaptic membrane.

      Which of the following statements, A to D, describes the action of GABA?

      • GABA binds to structure K in competition with acetylcholine.

      • GABA causes hyperpolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane.

      • GABA causes depolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane.

      • GABA inhibits release of neurotransmitter from structure L.

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      The image below shows a synaptic bulb.q11-paper-1-june-2019-ocr-a-level-biology

      Which of the following rows, A to D, correctly names the parts labelled H to J in the image?

        H I J K
      A vesicle containing
      neurotransmitter
      mitochondrion dendron postsynaptic
      membrane
      B vesicle containing Ca2+ mitochondrion axon presynaptic
      membrane
      C vesicle containing Ca2+ myelin dendron postsynaptic
      membrane
      D vesicle containing
      neurotransmitter
      mitochondrion axon presynaptic
      membrane

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        4
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        The table below shows the membrane potentials of different neurones at a cholinergic synapse.
        The data were recorded on five separate occasions, as shown in the five rows.

          Membrane potential
        (mV)
          Presynaptic
        neurone A
        Presynaptic
        neurone B
        Presynaptic
        neurone C
        Postsynaptic
        neurone
        1 +40 –70 –70 –70
        2 –70 +40 –70 –70
        3 –70 –70 +40 –70
        4 +40 +40 –70 –70
        5 +40 +40 +40 +40

        Which of the following, A to D, explains these data?

        • divergence

        • hyperpolarisation

        • spatial summation

        • temporal summation

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        5
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        The drug metoprolol prevents stimulation of post-synaptic receptors in the sympathetic nervous system.

        Which of the following conditions could this drug be used to treat?

        1. Muscle fatigue
        2. Tachycardia
        3. High blood pressure
        • 1, 2 and 3

        • Only 1 and 2

        • Only 2 and 3

        • Only 1

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        6
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        Animals receive different stimuli from their environment. Their synapses can manage multiple stimuli, often resulting in one response (such as a muscle twitching).

        This action of the synapse is an example of

        • spatial summation

        • all or nothing response

        • temporal summation

        • cell signalling

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        7
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        Which of the following describes the process that happens during repolarisation of a neurone during the action potential?

         

          Sodium channels Potassium channels Membrane potential
        A closed open decreasing
        B open closed decreasing
        C open closed increasing
        D closed open increasing

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          8
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          The diagram below shows the left to right transmission of an action potential in a myelinated axon by saltatory conduction.qeahNoHs_h-2

          Which of the following rows correctly identifies I - IV?

            I II III IV
          A Node at resting potential Node at action potential Node at refractory period Node becoming depolarised
          B Node at refractory period Node at action potential Node becoming depolarised Node at resting potential
          C Node at action potential Node at refractory period Node becoming depolarised Node at resting potential
          D Node at refractory period Node becoming depolarised Node at action potential Node at resting potential

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            9
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            The diagram below shows a sodium-potassium pump within the axon membrane of a neurone.

            sodium-potassium-pump-mcq

            Which statement correctly describes the role of the sodium-potassium pump in transmission of nerve impulses by neurones?

            • The sodium-potassium pump establishes the resting potential needed for impulse transmission by actively pumping three sodium ions out of the axon for every two potassium ions it pumps into the axon.

            • The sodium-potassium pump initiates depolarisation by actively pumping sodium ions into the axon.

            • The sodium-potassium pump establishes the resting potential needed for impulse transmission by actively pumping two sodium ions into the axon for every three potassium ions it pumps out of the axon.

            • The sodium-potassium pump initiates the action potential needed for the transmission of an impulse by pumping potassium ions into the axon once the threshold membrane potential is reached.

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            10
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            The oscilloscope trace shown below was taken using a digital oscilloscope. It shows an action potential, in a neurone of a potoroo (a small marsupial species), that occurred when the neurone was stimulated with a current pulse.Nl4mPzfI_h-3

            How many action potentials could be stimulated in this neurone every second?

            • 6

            • 60

            • 12

            • 7

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            11
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            Which of the following statements about a Pacinian corpuscle is not correct?

            • The receptors are found in the skin and consist of lamellae layered up at the terminal end of the axon of a sensory neurone.

            • Greater pressure results in the opening of more stretch-mediated sodium ion channels and therefore there is a bigger intake of sodium ions and stimulation of more action potentials.

            • Stretching of lamellae in the Pacinian corpuscle results in intake of sodium ions through stretch mediated sodium ion channels to produce multiple generator potentials.

            • Differential pressure produces the same response if the threshold value is reached.

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            12
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            Which of the following diagrams, A to D, shows a sensory neurone?

            q13-paper-1-june-2018-ocr-a-level-biology

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              1
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              The image below is a diagram of a Pacinian corpuscle, found deep within the skin.

              ocr-a-5-3h-mcq-q1-pacinian-corpuscle

              Which of the following, A to D, explains the generation of an action potential in the Pacinian corpuscle?

              • Influx of potassium ions into the neurone down their electrochemical gradient

              • Voltage-gated sodium ion channels open to allow diffusion of sodium ions

              • Repolarisation of the axon membrane results in a generator potential

              • The neurone ending has stretch-mediated channels that can change shape

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              2
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              The table below shows the action potential propagation velocity for two different neurons with varying axon diameter.


              Axon diameter (μm)

              Action potential propagation velocity (m/s)
              Neurone A Neurone B
              0.2 1.0 1.0
              0.4 1.8 1.4
              0.6 3.0 1.8
              0.8 3.8 2.2
              1.0 4.0 2.6

              Which of the following, A to D, is the most likely explanation for this data?

              • Resistance decreases as axon diameter increases

              • Neurone A has a longer refractory period than neurone B

              • Spatial summation occurs when both neurone A and neurone B are connected to the postsynaptic neurone

              • Saltatory conduction happens along neurone A and continuous conduction happens along neurone B

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              Which row in the table correctly describes how resting potential is established and maintained?

                Movement of ions Channels
              A 2 sodium ions pumped out of axon All voltage gated channels closed, potassium channels open, sodium channels closed
              B 3 sodium ions pumped out of axon All voltage gated channels closed, potassium channels open, sodium channels closed
              C 3 sodium ions pumped out of axon Voltage gated potassium channels open, voltage gated sodium channels closed, potassium channels open, sodium channels closed
              D 2 sodium ions pumped out of axon Voltage gated potassium channels open, voltage gated sodium channels closed, potassium channels open, sodium channels closed

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                Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in brain functions such as enhanced attention. Nicotine is a drug found in cigarettes that has the same shape as acetylcholine and that works by enhancing the effect of acetylcholine release. 

                Which statement(s) correctly explain(s) why nicotine can enhance attention in the brain?

                1 Nicotine binds with the cholinergic receptors in the postsynaptic membrane.
                2 Sodium ion channels open to allow an influx of sodium ions into the neurone.
                3 Nicotine blocks the ACh receptors and prevents the generation of a new action potential in the postsynaptic neurone.
                • 1, 2 and 3

                • Only 1 and 2

                • Only 2 and 3

                • Only 1

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                The graph represents a summation process in a postsynaptic neurone at a cholinergic synapse.5-3-neuronal-communication-hard-q5

                Which of the statements about the graph is correct?

                • A larger action potential is generated from multiple impulses

                • Acetylcholine builds up to a high enough level in the synaptic cleft, allowing a threshold to be reached and triggering an action potential

                • Hyperpolarisation is occurring above the threshold

                • Impulses from multiple synaptic knobs arriving at the same time are added together to reach the threshold

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