Some of the question for scientific article for Edexcel June 2010 paper 5

Question and answers (page 2 and 3)

1. In Parkinson’s disease, the neurons secreting dopamine (DA) degenerate so the level of DA
declines, but acetylcholine (Ach) secreting neurons in the basal ganglia continue to produce
acetylcholine . It is this imbalance in neurotransmitter substance that triggers the symptoms.

i. State two symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. [2]

Tremor in the arms and hands especially at rest / rigidity and stiffness of muscles causing impaired balance / slowness
of movements / stooped posture / short steps / difficu s with speech and swallowing.

ii. There is a strong evidence to believe that the release DA from the pre-synaptic
membrane is triggered by certain emotional responses.
Describe how the release of this neurotransmitter substance DA generates an action potential in
the post-synaptic neuron (5)
Neurotransmitter substance diffuses across the synapti cleft; binds to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane;
this causes Na gated channels to open / increases perm ility to Na ions; influx of Na ions into the postsynaptic
neuron; postsynaptic membrane becomes depolarized; summation of postsynaptic potentials to form action potentials.

2. Levodopa (L -Dopa) is a precursor of DA used in the treatment of Pa inson's disease. The

structures of DA and Levodopa are shown below.

Dopamine L – Dopa

With reference to the structures of dopamine and L - dopa, suggest why the drug L-dopa is effective
in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. (4)

Both have the same molecular architecture; levodopa ca bind to dopamine receptors; initiate action potential;
levodopa can converted into dopamine.

3. Surgeons have attempted to transplant foetal tissues rich in dopamine into the basal ganglia region
of patients with particularly severe symptoms.

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Some of the question for scientific article for Edexce paper 5
 i. State two obstacles that the neurosurgeon will have to overcome for a successfultransplant of
the tissues in order to treat PD.
First the transplanted tissue must not be rejected by the immune system; the cells must continue to perpetuate
and proliferate in the recipient; transplanted tissue st be able to secrete DA in sufficient quantities. Eq.

4. Tremor disorders such as Parkinson's diseases are sometimes treated with deep brain stimulation
(page 3, 1st Para) using an electrode permanently implanted at a sp ific spot in the brain.
I Explain why DBS is considered to be more targeted treatment than standard drug
the ra py ( 2)
Idea that drugs are carried by blood stream to all parts of the body where as DBS is more localized

5. Levodopa can readily pass across the blood brain barrier. Describe two features of this
blood brain barrier that brings about effective distribution of the drug.
Blood brain barrier is the endothelial layer of blood els. As such they are made of a single layer of flattened cells
reducing diffusion distance and permeable to substances through the fenestrations / pores.

6. Suggest likely causes of depression other than genetical factor.

Breavement / loss of job / lack of money eq.

Question and answers (page 4 and 5)

Q1. Illustrate the process by which a rat gene can be serted into a fruit fly

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Some of the question for scientific article for Edexce paper 5
 Q2. State the pathway travelled by nerve impulses during the escape responses.

Receptors to sensory neurone to central nervous system (relay neurons) to motor neurone to effector

Q3. Suggest two possible military applications of specific neurone activation or deactivation.
Can be used to switch on neurons which control aggression; Can be used to switch of neurons for conscious thought,
which helps to interrogate prisoners of war and make them speak the truth about enemy secrets;

Q4. Compare the feasibility of using light-sensitive ATP with the use of ChR2 proteins.

Injection of ATP into the brain is detrimental as it can lead to infection of the brain; ATP does not last long in the body,
so frequent injection is necessary; Proteins can be synthesized by cells once the gene is inserted by genetic engineering;

Q5. State two advantages of using worm rather than rat for neuronal research.
Worms have a short lifecycle compared to rats. So experimental results can be obtained faster; Rats have a more
complicated nervous system. So it is easier to do preliminary tests on worms; Body of most worms is transparent to light
flashes, where as rats need LEDs to be fixed into the skull;

Q6. Explain how the stimulation of neurons can bring a muscle contraction.
Nueron stimulation releases acetyl choline; Acetyl choline binds to receptors on muscle cells at neuro-muscular junction;
Sarcoplasmic reticulum releases calcium ions; Muscle contraction triggered

Q7. Draw and label the structure of a rod cell from the retina

Synaptic
region Inner segment outer segment
"

Synapse nucleus mitochondria Vesicles

(Contain rhodopsin)

Question and answers (page 6 and 7)

Q.1 Channelrhodopsin 2 is a protein that produces elec rical pulse to the blue MghtZhuo - Hua Pan , a
visual neuroioscientist found that, once the gene ChR2 inserted , retinal cells responded to light
by emitting electrical pulse and impulse went to visual cortex of the brain.

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Some of the question for scientific article for Edexce paper 5
State the name of an imaging technique and describe how the images could be used to confirm the visual
cortex of the brain have been targeted by these retinal cells.
Answers: functional magnetic resonance imaging / FMRI
. If the visual cortex is targeted by the retinal cell , the visual cortex become more active than other regions of the brain.
. the blood flow increases to that area and hence more oxyhaemoglobin is delivered to the active cells.
. Oxyhaemoglobin absorbs less MRI signals.
. therefore more signals are emitted 'lighting up' the visual cortex.

Q.2 Neurologist have realized from their research work, the neurons behave differently. Explain the
different behavior of the neurons.
Answers: some are excitatory. When they fire, they cau their neighboring neurons to fir too. because Na ions
channels of the post synaptic knob will be opened leading to a change in the potential across the membrane setting up an
exciting post - synaptic potential
Eg: some are inhibitory. The neurotransmitters produce by pre synaptic
.knob will open different ion channels. in the post synaptic membrane.
. this make the post synaptic neuron more negative .
. so less likely that an action potential will occur.
t
Q.3 the ultimate aim for many researches is to target ly excitatory or inhibitory neurons. Give one example
for this from your scientic article.
Answers: . Deisseroth and his team works.
.they used a combination of ChR2 and NpHR proteins in their experiment. ChR2 - Channelrhodopsin.
This produces electrical impulse in response to blue l ht.
NpHR - halorhodopsin. In response to the yellow light, this protein paralys and briefly prevent from firing.

Q.4 Neurologist Deisseroth suspects, the limbic system called area 25 is responsible for the depression.
Give one experimental evidences favoring this idea.
Answers: . This brain area seems to be overactive in depressed people.
. when the activity of this brain area was activated b using electrodes , the mood of the 4 patients out of 6 seemed to
be improved.

Q.5 People have to avoid stress .If they cannot avoid he stress, they have to adapt for it. If a person is
unable to avoid or adapt the stress what would be the effect?
Answers: gastric ulcers
Cardiovascular diseases
Anxiety & Depression
Q.6 adrenaline and noradrenaline are two important neu transmitters. but high concentrations
affect the human body .comment on these two ideas.
Answers: Adrenaline and noradrenaline^ause physiological changes in the body to prepare to the deal with stress conditions by
eitfrerlfighTOF^ght' but high concentrations damage th eart muscles

Q.7 'Neurons are adaptable cells' comment on this giving examples from our article.
. neurons releases adrenaline and noradrenaline like netitotransmitters .
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Some of the question for scientific article for Edexce paper 5
. these serve as an 'alarm system' alerting individual a threat.
. in a stressed person, the activity of these neurons are increased resulting more releases of
these neutrotranmitters.
. when the stress is repeated , neurons produce more m cules of enzymes needed to
synthesise noradrenaline.
.Hence the cells can produce more noradrenaline.
.this way the neurons get adapt to the continuous conditions.
»'

Q.8 Retinitis pigmentosa is a diseased condition where light detecting cells in the retina are killed. What
are the two main concerns of visual neuroscientists to overcome this problem?
Answers: 1 .to decide which neurons to be switched on or off.
2.to genetically engineer the animal to manufacture light sensitive cells.

Questions for Page 8 and 9

Q1. What is meant by the term ' receptor' ? .
Receptors are proteins. They have very specific shapes. This makes them ideal as receptor molecules for signalling
between cells. Eg: Neurotransmitters, fit into specific receptor proteins in nerve cells.

Q2. Explain how the neurotransmitter act as a messenger to transmit the nerve impulse

Nerve impulse is transmitted from one neuron to another by neurotransmitter. Arrival of an impulse stimulates the
release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. N otransmitter diffuses across the synaptic cleft and bind with
receptors on the post synaptic neurone. Depending on the type of receptor, hyperpolarisation o depolarization occurs in the
post synaptic neurone.

Q3. Describe how the effect of neurotransmitter is det mined by the post synaptic receptors.
Some neurotransmitters when they bind to the receptor ites on the channels, trigger directly. Others bind to receptors
linked to G proteins. These G proteins activate chemical messengers within the post -synaptic cell.

Q4. Describe and explain the "second messenger mechanism"

Noradrenaline binds to its receptor on cell surface me brane. G protein which is linked to the receptor changes shape to
activate the enzyme adenyl cyclase. Adenyl cyclase remove phosphate groups from ATP to form cyclic adenosine
monophosphate,. (cAMP). Cyclic AMP is the "second messenger" triggering the activation of th protein kinase A enzyme that
causes the sodium ion channels in the post synaptic membrane to open. This mechanism is much slower and longer-
lasting than direct mechanism.
Q5. Explain what is meant by the term "radioligand bin ing".
A radioactive label attached to a drug which is specif to one receptor . It is used to count the number of receptor for
that drug in a sample of tissue.

Q6. Some people have ethical objections to animal experiments. Suggest how biologist might justify the use
of animals in experiments.

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Some of the question for scientific article for Edexce paper 5
 Animals are helping the scientists to test medicines. rding to utilitarianism, if the expected benefits are greater than
expected harm, we can use animals. Animal testing reduces the chances of harm when testing on people.

Questions and answers (pages 10 and 11)

1) Define Hormones. (3)

Hormones are chemical substances belongs to proteins o /amines/ lipids (steroids);
Released in minute quantities by endocrine glands (ductless glands);
Carried through blood stream to target organs;
Target organs have receptors where hormones bind and b ng about metabolic changes;

2) Describe the mode of action of steroid hormones in the body of humans especially with
reference to particular tissues and organs. (4)
Steroids are lipid soluble (can pass the phospholipid bi layer of cell membrane ); They act directly on
nucleus especially to the specific gene; Specific mRNA is produced which in turn helps to form specific
protein (enzymes); Enzymes can bring about metabolic changes through cascade effect;

3) What is meant by the term inflammation? (2) Non

Specific responses to infection; which involves the release of istamine; raising of temperature locally by dilation of the
blood vessels and swelling;

4) What is prenatal screening? (2)

Prenatal Screening is a medical test to ascertain the condition of fetus; this is carried for
pregnant mothers to rule out genetic defects in fetus;

5) What are the two types of prenatal screening conducted in the pregnant women which
you studied earlier? (2)
Amniocentesis;
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS);

6) List out the disadvantages in the two types of the renatal screening in detail. (3)
Disadvantages of amniocentesis Test can be conducted only at 14 to 16 weeks of pregnancy; Results can be obtained only after
2-3 weeks upon collecting the samples;

Disadvantages of Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) Risk of spontaneous abortion is very much higher in th test compared to
amniocentesis;

7) This article brings out use of neonatal rats (new borns) which are subjected to capsaicin the
chemical that gives chilli its hot bite. What are the hical issues related with the use such baby rats for this
type of research? (2)
Rats are vertebrates (back boned animals);
They have well developed nervous system;
So they can feel pain, unlike Daphnia which is an inve tebrate;
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8) Distinguish between myelinated and unmyelinated neuron . (2)
Myelinated neurons are wrapped by Myelin Sheath (Schwa n cells); Unmyelinated neurons donot
have Myelin Sheath;

9) Distinguish between excitatory and inhibitory synapses. (2)

Excitatory Synapses:
Increases the likelihood of an action potential develo ing;
Inhibitory Synapses:
Decreases the likelihood of an action potential developing;

12 and 13 questions and answers.

1. "Whipple set up a study with Mexican women whose consumption of chilies ranged
from one or two a week to three a day". Outline the investigation method used by
Whipple to check the effect of chili on pain blocking affect.
Randomized / cohort study/ sample size/ data recording method/ variables used to keep constant

2. Suggest reasons for the variations in the pain felt by omen and men with
reference to the article.
Refer pages 11 and 12.

3. 'many parts of the brain are engaged when a person feel pain" State and explain
which diagnostic tool helps the neurologist to identif the areas of pain the brain.
Discuss the advantages of the testing tool in medical eld.
Functional MRI, procedure of testing, lighting up the areas

4. Pain is felt when pain receptors detect the stimuli an ass it to the brain through
the nerve path way. Describe the path way of neurons i lved in carrying the
messages to brain, and discuss the role of synapses.
Sensory neuron / axon transmission between the neurons/ and structure and functions of synapses in chemical
transmission

5. Pain killers used usually give pain relief by blocking the nerve impulses. Explain
how a pain killer relieves a person from pain and its effect on synaptic
transmission.
Mimicking the neurotransmitters, and prevent the neuro nsmitter binding with the receptors of post synaptic
neurons/inhibiting the enzymes that recycle the neurotransmitters/ blocking the calcium channels prevent the vesicular
transmitter release.

6. Morphine which is used as pain killer, said to be an illegal drug.

Explain the effects of morphine and why it is consider as an illegal drug.

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 It inhibits the nerve impulses/ relieve pain/ depressa ong tem disfuctioning of normal nerve impulses.

7. Progesterone is said to be a natural analgesic Taking ynthetic hormone pills

containing progesterone, as pain killer does not have he effect of the natural one,
Refer to the article and discuss the reasons mentioned.
Refer page 12

8. Steroid hormones seem to have an effect on the protein synthesis. Explain how the
steroid hormone works to bring the target response. Differentiate the functioning of
steroid hormones with that of the second messenger mec ism of a hormone.

Cross the cell surface membrane/ nuclear membrane/ binds with the promoter region/ transcription factor/ initiate
protein synthesis.

9. Progesterone can be synthesized by culturing the genet cally modified organisms.

Explain the methods used to develop drugs by genetic engineering.
Obtaining a copy of the gene/ inserting, it in the pla mids/ introducing the recombinant DNA in vector (bacteria) /
isolate/clone/ culture and extract and market.

10. Discuss the ethical issues may arise in using the genetically modified or transgenic
organisms in developing drugs.

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Some of the question for scientific article for Edexce paper 5