Coordination and the human brainEdexcel A-Level Biology A: Subtopic test

1. 1
   A 62-year-old man is admitted to hospital after a stroke that damaged part of his cerebellum. He can understand speech, think clearly and remember recent events, but his walking is unsteady and his arm movements are jerky and poorly aimed.

   (a)

   Which of these is a function of the cerebellum?

   [1 mark]

   • AControlling body temperature through the pituitary gland
   • BControlling heart rate and breathing rate
   • CCoordinating movement and maintaining balance
   • DConscious thought, memory and language

   (b)

   Which region of the man's brain is most responsible for his intact understanding of speech and memory of recent events?

   [1 mark]

   • ACerebral hemispheres
   • BMedulla oblongata
   • CHypothalamus
   • DCerebellum

   (c)

   Explain why damage to the cerebellum has caused the man's movements to be jerky and poorly aimed.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   On a hot day a runner's core body temperature begins to rise. Her skin becomes flushed and she starts to sweat. These responses are coordinated by a region at the base of her brain.

   (a)

   Which region of the brain monitors the temperature of the blood and coordinates the runner's responses?

   [1 mark]

   • ACerebellum
   • BHypothalamus
   • CMedulla oblongata
   • DCerebral hemispheres

   (b)

   Which statement correctly compares hormonal control with nervous control?

   [1 mark]

   • AHormones travel as action potentials along neurones
   • BHormonal responses are usually faster than nervous responses
   • CHormones affect only one effector cell
   • DHormonal effects usually last longer than nervous effects

   (c)

   Explain why the hypothalamus is described as a link between the nervous system and the endocrine system.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A student reading quietly is startled by a loud bang. Within a second her heart rate and breathing rate increase. For several minutes afterwards she still feels alert and her heart continues to pound.

   (a)

   Explain why the immediate response to the bang is attributed to nervous coordination but the continuing alertness is attributed to hormonal coordination.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Describe how the medulla oblongata brings about the rapid increase in her heart rate and breathing rate.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   Mammals coordinate their bodies using both nervous and hormonal communication, and different regions of the brain have different roles.

   (a)

   Compare nervous coordination and hormonal coordination.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Damage to the medulla oblongata, cerebellum, cerebral hemispheres or hypothalamus may occur after a head injury. Evaluate which damage would be most immediately life-threatening.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions