Exam questions · Biology · The Nervous System
The Brain
- 6 exam questions
- 20 marks
- 9 quick checks
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1 Name [3 marks]
Name the three main regions of the brain that you have studied.
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Model answer
The cerebral hemispheres, the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata.
Mark scheme
- Cerebral hemispheres — 1 mark
- Cerebellum — 1 mark
- Medulla oblongata — 1 mark
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2 State [2 marks]
State two functions of the cerebral hemispheres.
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Model answer
Any two from: consciousness, intelligence, memory, language, voluntary movement.
Mark scheme
- First function — 1 mark
- Second function — 1 mark
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3 State [2 marks]
The medulla oblongata controls unconscious activities. Give two examples.
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Model answer
The heart rate and the breathing rate.
Mark scheme
- Heart rate — 1 mark
- Breathing rate — 1 mark
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4 Explain [3 marks]
A person has a head injury and afterwards cannot walk in a straight line, and their movements are shaky. Explain which part of the brain has probably been damaged.
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Model answer
The cerebellum has probably been damaged. This region coordinates movement and keeps the body balanced, so damage to it leads to poor balance and uncoordinated, shaky movements.
Mark scheme
- Cerebellum — 1 mark
- It coordinates movement — 1 mark
- It maintains balance — 1 mark
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5 Explain [4 marks]
Explain why the cerebral cortex is folded, and why this is an advantage.
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Model answer
The cerebral cortex is folded into ridges and grooves. This gives it a larger surface area than a smooth surface would have. A bigger surface area means more neurones can fit into the skull, which allows more complex thinking, memory and language.
Mark scheme
- It is folded in ridges and grooves — 1 mark
- This increases the surface area — 1 mark
- More neurones fit inside the skull — 1 mark
- Allows more complex functions — 1 mark
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6 Describe [6 marks]
Describe the structure and the functions of the three main regions of the brain.
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Model answer
The cerebral hemispheres are the two large, folded halves at the top and front of the brain. They control consciousness, intelligence, memory, language and voluntary movement. The cerebellum is a smaller region at the back below the hemispheres, and it coordinates movement and balance. The medulla oblongata is at the base of the brain and joins it to the spinal cord. It controls unconscious activities such as the heart rate and breathing rate.
Mark scheme
- Hemispheres: large, folded, top and front — 1 mark
- Hemispheres: consciousness, memory, language etc. — 1 mark
- Cerebellum: at the back, below hemispheres — 1 mark
- Cerebellum: coordination and balance — 1 mark
- Medulla: base of the brain, joins the spinal cord — 1 mark
- Medulla: heart rate and breathing rate — 1 mark
Quick check
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1
Which part of the brain controls the breathing rate?
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C: Medulla oblongata
The medulla oblongata controls unconscious activities such as breathing and heart rate.
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2
Which part of the brain coordinates movement and balance?
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A: Cerebellum
The cerebellum coordinates movement and keeps the body balanced.
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3
Which part of the brain is used for memory and language?
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D: Cerebral hemispheres
The cerebral hemispheres are responsible for conscious thought, memory and language.
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4
Why is the cerebral cortex folded?
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B: To increase its surface area
The folds increase the surface area, so more neurones fit into the skull.
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5
Which part of the brain joins the brain to the spinal cord?
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C: Medulla oblongata
The medulla oblongata is at the base of the brain and links it to the spinal cord.
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6
A stroke damages the area of a person's brain that controls speech. Which region has been damaged?
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A: The cerebral hemispheres
Language is controlled by the cerebral hemispheres.
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7
What did the case of Phineas Gage show?
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D: That different parts of the brain have different functions
His change in personality after damage to the front of his brain suggested that different regions have different functions.
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8
Which activity is controlled mainly by the cerebellum?
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B: Riding a bike
Riding a bike needs balance and coordinated movement, which the cerebellum controls.
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9
A person's heart rate stays normal while they are asleep, even though they are unconscious. Which part of the brain explains this?
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C: Medulla oblongata
The medulla oblongata controls the heart rate automatically, without conscious thought.