JUNE 2010 UNIT 5

1) (a) Describe how CT scans could help a doctor to determine appropriate treatment of the abnormalities.
I. nature of abnormality e.g. bleeding, ref. to density ;
II. {location / eq} of abnormality ;
III. {extent / size/ eq} of abnormality ;
IV. likely problems e.g. accessibility for surgery ;

(c) Describe how fMRI is used to investigate brain function.
monitors the uptake of oxygen in different brain areas. When an area in the brain is active theres more
blood flow in that area and more oxyhaemoglobin is delivered to supply the active cells with the oxygen they
need for aerobic respiration.

d) Regulating core temperature- hypothalamus
Climbing stairs- cerebellum
Regulating carbon dioxide in the blood- medulla oblongata
Choosing a gift- cerebrum

2) (a) Describe the events that begin the depolarisation of the membrane of a neurone.
Depolarisation of the adjacent membrane
Changes potential difference across membranes, opens sodium gates, sodium ions move into the neurone.

(c) Give an explanation for the movement of ions at repolarisation
1. correct {reference to / description of} diffusion gradient (of potassium ions) ;
2. correct {reference to / description of} electrochemical gradient ;
3. increased permeability (of membrane) to potassium ions / eq ;
4. reference to potassium {gates / eq} open / eq ;
5. reference to sodium {gates / eq} closed / eq

(d) Explain how the potential difference across the membrane is returned to the resting level
1. PD less negative / eq
2. idea that the membrane remains permeable to potassium ions ;
3. potassium ions {move because of charge difference / eq} ;
4. into {nerve cell / neurone / axon / eq} ;
5. idea that potassium ion is removing a positive charge (from the outside) ;
6. idea that equilibrium is established e.g. diffusion gradient balanced by potential difference

3) (a) Suggest reasons for absorbing carbon dioxide in the respirometer
Co2 is produced in respiration, affects the volume of gas.

(ii) The seeds in the experiment with nitrogen gas continued to germinate. Suggest an explanation for the
lack of movement of the liquid.
No oxygen available. Anaerobic respiration. Co2 produced is absorbed. No net change of volume.

(iii) Suggest two reasons why a valid comparison cannot be made between the mean rates of respiration of
the germinating seeds in air and the insects. For each reason, suggest a modification that would allow a valid
comparison
Mass of the organism may differ- use the same mass
temp changes- water bath

4) Electrical activity in heartbeats can be recorded using electrocardiograms (ECG). An ECG includes
recording of the activity of the sinoatrial node (SAN).
(a) Describe the role of the SAN in controlling heartbeats.
Starts the heart beat. Initiates a wave of excitation. Determines heart rate,

(b) Describe how the cardiovascular centre, in the medulla oblongata, affects the SAN during exercise.
Increased impulses to the SAN via the sympathetic nerve. Stimulates frequent depolarisation in SAN.
Increases heart rate.

(d) Performance-enhancing drugs may affect heart activity. Outline one ethical position relating to whether
these drugs should be banned.
It can be a risk to health, gaining unfair advantages.

5) (b) Name the structures that connect muscles to bones- tendon
(c) Explain why muscles occur in antagonistic pairs- muscles cant extend themselves, they need opposing
muscles to extend. Antagonistic muscles allows movement.

*(e) Describe and explain the role of calcium ions and ATP in muscle contraction.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum contains Ca ions. They bind to troponin. Then tropomyosin exposes its bases for the
myosin head to bind. ATP is needed to remove Ca ions. And it provides energy to change the shape of
myosin. ATP is needed to break cross bridges and to synthesize neurotransmitters.

6) (b) Explain how a high concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) is maintained in the intermembrane space
1. (H+ions) from reduced NAD / eq ;
2. H+ions pumped into inter membrane space / eq ;
3. reference to energy needed (for pump) / eq ;
4. reference to movement of electrons along ETC /eq;
5. (ETC on) inner membrane / cristae;
(c) Describe the role of the hydrogen ion concentration gradient in making available an accessible supply of energy
for biological processes
a. H+ ions follow diffusion gradient / eq ;
b. idea that this causes an energy change or makes energy available ;
c. ATP is formed / eq ;
d. idea that this occurs on stalked particles ;
e. ATP is energy source for (biological processes) /


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