Free Nervous control questions for IGCSE Biology (0610), part of Coordination & response. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full Nervous Control worksheet →All Coordination & response questionsWhich sequence is correct for a reflex arc?
Answer: B
Which neurone carries impulses from receptors to the central nervous system?
Answer: B
Drugs can affect synapses.
Explain how a drug that blocks receptors on the second neurone affects impulse transmission.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| neurotransmitter cannot bind; no impulse neurotransmitter cannot bind to the receptors B1 so no impulse is started in the next neurone B1 | 2 |
A person touches a hot plate and quickly moves their hand away.
Name this type of response.
Describe the pathway of the nerve impulse.
Explain why reflex actions are important.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | reflex action reflex action B1 | 1 |
| (b) | receptor → sensory → relay → motor → effector Any 4 of: receptor (in skin); sensory neurone; relay neurone in the spinal cord; motor neurone; effector (muscle) contracts B4 | 4 |
| (c) | fast, automatic, protective they are fast and automatic, so they protect the body from harm B1 | 1 |
The nervous system consists of the CNS and the peripheral nervous system.
Name the two parts of the central nervous system.
Distinguish between voluntary and involuntary actions with an example of each.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | brain and spinal cord brain and spinal cord B1 | 1 |
| (b) | conscious vs automatic voluntary: conscious decision, e.g. picking up a pen B1 involuntary: automatic/reflex, e.g. blinking/pupil reflex B1 | 2 |
This question is about the nervous system.
Name the parts of the central nervous system.
A person touches a hot object and pulls their hand away. Describe the pathway of the reflex arc.
Explain why a reflex action is an advantage to the person.
Describe how an impulse passes across a synapse.
Explain why impulses can only travel in one direction across a synapse.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | brain and spinal cord brain and spinal cord B1 | 1 |
| (b) | receptor → sensory neurone → relay neurone in spinal cord → motor neurone → effector (muscle) Any 4 of: receptor detects heat; impulse passes along sensory neurone; relay neurone in the spinal cord; motor neurone; effector muscle contracts B4 | 4 |
| (c) | fast; automatic, no thought needed; prevents damage it is rapid and automatic (no conscious thought) B1 so it reduces damage / injury B1 | 2 |
| (d) | impulse triggers release of neurotransmitter; diffuses across gap; binds receptors on next neurone impulse arrives and vesicles release neurotransmitter B1 the neurotransmitter diffuses across the synaptic gap B1 binds to receptor proteins on the next neurone, starting an impulse B1 | 3 |
| (e) | neurotransmitter only released from one side; receptors only on other side neurotransmitter is only released on one side and receptors are only on the other side B1 | 1 |
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Meet Riyaz →Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in