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CAIE IGCSE Biology 14.1 Coordination and Response Questions

Practise tracing electrical impulses through nervous pathways, identifying neurones, sequencing reflex arcs and explaining synapses.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Biology 0610

Exam points

  • state that a nerve impulse is an electrical signal travelling along a neurone
  • distinguish the CNS (brain and spinal cord) from the PNS (nerves outside them)
  • identify sensory, relay and motor neurones from their position and impulse direction in diagrams
  • sequence receptor → sensory → relay → motor neurone → effector in a reflex arc
  • explain reflex actions as automatic, rapid responses by muscle or gland effectors without conscious thought
  • define a synapse as the junction between two neurones
  • label vesicles, neurotransmitters, receptors and the synaptic gap on synapse diagrams
  • sequence neurotransmitter release, diffusion across the gap and receptor binding to trigger the next impulse
  • explain one-way synaptic transmission from presynaptic vesicles to postsynaptic receptors
  • use drug or disease evidence to explain impaired transmission through blocked receptors or reduced neurotransmitter release

Covered syllabus points

14.1.1—Electrical impulses travel along14.1.2—Mammalian nervous system14.1.3—Role of the nervous system14.1.4—Sensory, relay and motor neurones14.1.5—Simple reflex arc in terms14.1.6—Reflex action as a means14.1.7—Synapse as a junction between two14.1.8—Structure of a synapse14.1.9—Events at a synapse14.1.10—Synapses ensure that impulses travel

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Heart rate is influenced by electrical impulses from the brain.

State the name of the type of cell that conducts electrical impulses to the heart.

Question 2

[Maximum number: 2]

The eye is a sense organ that is part of the nervous system.

State the two parts of the central nervous system.

1
2

Question 3

[Maximum number: 4]

Question (a)

(a)

Fig. 2.1 shows the structure of the eye. It also shows the pathway taken by nerve impulses which help bring about changes in the eye in order to bring light to a focus.

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.1

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Draw a label line and a letter X on Fig. 2.1 to identify a motor neurone.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Describe how the events that occur at a synapse generate an impulse in the next neurone.

[ 3 ]
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