9.

The diagram below shows a section through a human brain.

C
B

Complete the table below by writing in the letter and the name of the region of the brain that carries
out each function.
Function

Letter

Name of region

Initiating and controlling

voluntary muscle
movement
Coordinating skeletal
muscle movement, balance
and posture
Controlling heart and
breathing rate
(Total 4 marks)

35.

There is much debate about the reasons for variation in human characteristics. One
source of evidence in this nature and nurture debate is provided by studies of identical
(monozygotic or MZ) twins.
In one study, which involved 69 pairs of identical twins, fifty pairs of the twins had been
brought up together since birth and nineteen pairs of the twins had been brought up apart
since birth. The height, body mass and intelligence (IQ) of each twin was measured and
the difference between each pair was determined for each characteristic.
The table below shows the mean differences between the pairs of twins.
Mean difference
Characteristic

50 pairs of identical twins

brought up together

19 pairs of identical twins

brought up apart

Height/cm

1.7

1.8

Body mass/kg

1.9

4.5

Intelligence (IQ)

3.1

6.0

(a)

Explain what these figures suggest about the effects of nature and nurture on these
three characteristics.
.....................................................................................................................................
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.....................................................................................................................................
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.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(b)

Suggest two reasons why the conclusions drawn from the data above should be
treated with caution.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

39.

The table below refers to some regions of the brain and their functions. Complete the
table by inserting the correct word or words.
Region of brain

One function

Medulla
Learning and memory
Control of balance and fine movement
Hypothalamus
(Total 4 marks)

50.

Give an account of the location and functions of each of the following areas of the
mammalian brain: cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and medulla.
(Allow two lined pages)
(Total 10 marks)

56.

The diagram below shows a vertical section through a human brain.

B
C

(a)

Using the letters A, B, C, D or E, state which region of the brain:

(i)

coordinates movement
..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

controls heart rate

..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

receives sensory input from the eyes.

..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Researchers covered one eye of a new born kitten. Three months later, when the
eye was uncovered, the kitten remained blind in that eye. Covering the eye of an
adult cat for three months did not blind it. Explain what these results show about
how vision develops in cats.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

80.

The diagram below shows a vertical section through a human brain.

(a)

On the diagram, draw an arrow to show the position of the hypothalamus.

(1)

(b)

The forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain are the three main regions of the human
brain.
State in which region of the brain the hypothalamus is found.
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Give two functions of the hypothalamus.

1 ..................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
2 ..................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

91.

(a)

Pavlov carried out experiments on dogs to investigate classical conditioning.

Explain how the dogs became conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell in
Pavlovs experiments.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(b)

Using operant conditioning, pigeons were presented with coloured keys and taught
to peck one particular key. Suggest how this operant conditioning was achieved.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

Briefly discuss the extent to which the study of learning in animals can help us to
understand learning in humans.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(d)

Explain how functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can improve our
knowledge of human brain function.
.....................................................................................................................................
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.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

94.

The picture below shows the response of a cats pupil to bright light.

(a)

(i)

Describe how the nervous system controls the pupil reflex in a mammal
such as a cat, in response to bright light.
..........................................................................................................................
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..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
(4)

(ii)

Describe and explain how myelination of neurones is an advantage in this

reflex pathway.
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
(3)

(b)

Hubel and Weisel covered one eye of kittens of different ages to investigate the
timing of visual development in mammals.
Kittens which had one eye covered from the fourth to the fifth week subsequently
had very poor vision in that eye. Kittens which had one eye covered at earlier or
later times had normal vision. Suggest an explanation for these observations.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c)

Some people have ethical objections to animal experiments. Suggest how a

biologist might justify the use of animals in experiments.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

109. Research on visual development in cats has led to knowledge of how information is
processed in the visual cortex of the brain. The diagrams below show the growth of
neurones in part of the visual cortex after normal visual development and when the left
eye has been deprived of sensory information.

Normal Visual Development

Sensory Deprivation in the

Left Eye

Left
eye

(a)

Right
eye

Closed
left eye

Right
eye

Use the diagrams above to describe differences in the visual cortex after sensory
deprivation.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Explain how this type of experiment has provided evidence which shows the need
for exposure to sensory information in normal visual development.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

Describe one other piece of evidence which suggests that humans must be exposed
to particular stimuli if they are to develop normal vision.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 5 marks)

115. (a)

The table below refers to three functions of the human brain. Complete the table to
show which region of the brain is responsible for each function.
Function

Region of the brain

Ability to learn
Thermoregulation
Control of heartbeat
(3)

(b)

The diagram below shows an image produced by an MRI (magnetic resonance

imaging) scan. The region labelled X is a tumour.

Source: www.medicalprogress.org

Suggest two pieces of information this scan could give to a surgeon about this
tumour.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

121. Sea slugs are marine invertebrates with gills for gas exchange on their body surface. A
sea slug is able to withdraw its gill when touched. In an investigation into this response,
the gill was touched and the time taken for the gill to be exposed again after withdrawal
was measured. This was repeated at half-minute intervals. The table below shows the
results of this investigation.
Touch

Time taken for gill to be exposed again / seconds

First

23.0

Second

9.0

Third

16.0

Fourth

4.5

Fifth

7.5

Sixth

6.5

Seventh

6.0

Eighth

4.5

Ninth

5.5

Tenth

6.5

(a)

Describe the effect of repeated touching on the time taken for the gill to be
exposed again.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(b)

Name the type of learning shown by a sea slug in this investigation.

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Explain how this learned response may be of benefit to the sea slug in its natural
environment.
.....................................................................................................................................
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.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
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(4)
(Total 8 marks)