Nervous System

1989 Paper 2 Question 5

5. (a) Outline the sequence of neural events that brings about the responses and
sensations in a barefooted person who unintentionally steps on a sharp-pointed
nail. (10 marks)

(b) "A coordinating system comprises five basic components : stimulus, receptor (or
sensor), controller (or integrating centre), effector and response." Discuss this
statement with reference to a named example of nervous coordination and a
named example of hormonal coordination.
(6 marks)

(c) Explain TWO functional differences between the nervous and hormonal
coordinating systems.
(4 marks)

Ans

1990 Paper 2 Question 4

4. (a) Describe the differences between the properties of the membrane in the excited
and resting regions of a neurone. (2 marks)

(b) (i) Briefly describe the nature of nerve impulse conduction along a nerve fibre
and outline the mechanism.
(ii) How do the structural characteristics of neurones affect the conduction speed
of a nerve impulse ? (7 marks)

(c) Describe and explain the process of synaptic transmission. (5 marks)

(d) Contrast the functions of the cerebrum and the spinal cord. (6 marks)
 Ans

1996 Paper 1 Question 5

5. Draw a fully-labelled diagram of a synapse in the process of neurotransmission. (5
marks)

Ans

1997 Paper 1 Question 4

4. The following figure illustrates the changes in the membrane potential of an axon during
the production of an action potential :

(a) Describe the events occurring along the membrane of the axon during periods M
and N. (4 marks)

(b) Account for the unidirectional conduction of nervous impulses along the axon. (1
mark)
 Ans

1998 Paper 2 Question 1

1. A man voluntarily bends his right arm.

(a) Describe the neural pathway involved. (5 marks)

(b) Describe the response of the muscles concerned in bringing about such a bending
movement. Use a schematic diagram to illustrate the sliding mechanism. (10
marks)

(c) What are the roles played by the various components of the elbow joint during
such a movement ?
(5 marks)

Ans

Solution
1989 Paper 2 Question 5 Solution
5. (a) Pain receptors in the skin of foot are excited
1
Activates the pain sensory (or afferent) fibre which projects to the
corresponding side of the spinal cord. The sensory fibre branches after
entering the cord and each branch makes synapse with an interneuron
(a neuron interposed between the afferent and efferent limb of the reflex
arc).
2
This leads to excitation of different types of interneurons which
subsequently influence the efferent pathways and produce :

(i) excitation of the flexor motoneuron on the same side of the spinal
cord, so flexor muscle of the same limb contracts;
1

(ii) inhibition of the extensor motoneuron on the same side of the

spinal cord, so extensor muscle of the same limb relaxes;
1
As a result, there is flexion of the ankle, knee and sometimes even
hip joint on the same side of the stimulated foot in a coordinated
manner (This is achieved by some interneurons which
communicate with motoneurons in higher segments of the spinal
cord )
1
The stimulated foot withdraws from the site of the painful stimulus
as a protective reflex
1
Also, this is accompanied by extension of the limb on the other
side of the body to compensate for the added share of the body
weight as the bodys center of support is shifted
1 (bonus)
Sensory information is also carried to the brain so that sensation of
pain is experienced Withdrawal of the stimulated foot (an
involuntary process) occurs before sensation of pain is
experienced.
2
(b) Using appropriate examples to illustrate the statement is true

(i) a subject answers a telephone call (nervous coordination)

stimulus : sound
receptor : cochlea (inner ear)
integrator : cerebrum and spinal cord
effector : extensor and flexor muscles of the limb
response : the hand picks up the phone in coordination with the arm
movement.
(3)
OR other suitable example illustrating the above points

(ii) a hormonal coordination (any one of the following) :

(3)

insulin / glucagon thyroid hormone

ADH
stimulus : change in blood glucose increase in plasma cold stress
concentration osmolarity
receptor : thermoreceptors in skin
and cells hypothalamic
controller : of pancreas osmoreceptors hypothalamus (TRH) and
pituitary (TSH)
effector : either the or cells of the hypothalamic cells thyroid gland (secretes
pancreas (secrete (secrete ADH to thyroid hormones to blood)
glucagon & insulin blood)
respectively to blood)
response : adjust blood glucose to increase water affects body metabolism, O2
normal level (target cell in reabsorption in kidney, consumption & heat
liver) so plasma osmolarity production (target cell is body
returns to normal tissues)
(target cell in kidney
tubule)

(c) Nervous coordination is rapid while hormonal coordination is slow

1)
because nervous coordination involves rapid propagation of action
potentials along nerve fibres for signal transmission while in hormonal
 coordination it involves the secretion process of hormone and its
transportation in the blood to the site of action.
1)
Effect is more widespread in hormonal coordination but localized in
nervous coordination 1)
any 2
because only those innervated organs will be affected. 1)
pairs
Duration of effect is usually brief in nervous coordination while it is
usually longlasting in hormonal coordination 1)
because the usual effectors in nervous coordination muscles and
glands, whereas hormones usually affect the metabolic activity of the
organs etc.
1)

(4)

1990 Paper 2 Question 4 Solution

4. (a) Resting neurone :
1
membrane is highly permeable to potassium ions, but is only
slightly permeable to sodium ions;
membrane potential is negative inside with respect-to outside :

Excited neurone :
1
membrane is highly permeable to both sodium and potassium
ions;
membrane potential is positive inside with respect to outside

(2)

(b) (i) nerve impulse propagates along the whole length of the axon in a
non-decremental (all-or-nothing) manner.
1
Mechanism :
4
The inner surface of the excited membrane is locally positive (as a
 result of influx of sodium ions).
Potential difference between this active region and the adjacent
inactive membrane.
Local current flows laterally through the axoplasm from the former
to the latter region, causing depolarization of the inactive region.
When this inactive region is depolarized to the threshold, it
becomes excited automatically with the generation of a new action
potential.

(5)
(ii) Diameter of axon - conduction speed increases as axon diameter
increases
Myelination - myelinated axon has higher conduction speed than
unmyelinated axon
(2)

(c) Nerve action potential depolarizes axonal terminal;

(5)
Migration of vesicles (contain acetylcholine) to the axonal membrane
next to the synapse;
Release of acetylcholine from presynaptic side into synaptic cleft
Acetylcholine combines with receptors on the post-synaptic membrane
Changes the ionic permeability of the post-synaptic membrane;
Post-synaptic membrane depolarizes to threshold;
Resulted in initiation of action potential in the post-synaptic nerve cell.
Rapid destruction of acetylcholine by the action of cholinesterase.

(d) Cerebrum Spinal cord (6)

Control of voluntary actions i.e. motor The site for synaptic interaction of somatic
execution. Motor cortex is the region reflexes, which are involuntary actions
where descending motor pathways
emerge.
The site for sensation and perception For passage of nerve fibres relaying nerve
e.g. skin sensation, vision, audition, impulses to and from the brain.
vestibular, taste and olfaction. Cerebral
cortex is the final station of all major
ascending sensory systems.
The site for other integrative functions
e.g. emotion, language, learning,
memory, planning, judgement,
 motivation, intelligence, etc.

1996 Paper 1 Question 5 Solution

5. Diagram of a synapse in process of neurotransmission showing the following

features : synaptic knob, post-synaptic and presynaptic membrane, synaptic
cleft, vesicle discharging neurotransmitting substance.
(1)
( mark for each label, structure and name must correspond)
(4)

Structure of a synapse

(5)

Q5 = 5 marks
N. B.
1. Diagram of a synapse is considered as in the process of
neutotransmission if there is any indication that N. T. is releasing into
the synaptic cleft.
eg. Award 1 full mark to the following diagrams :

2. If diagram is in the process of neurotransmission but there is incorrect

concept and / or inaccuracy in the drawing, award only ? mark to
diagram.

3. If a series of diagrams were used correctly to show the process of

neurotransmission, award only mark to diagram.
4. N.T. cholinesterase
 5. Neuromuscular junction acceptable (award mark to alternative labels,
but label must correspond to structure).
6. Indicate the mark awarded to diagram by denoting.

1997 Paper 1 Question 4 Solution

4. (a) M = After the arrival of a stimulus (), there is a sudden increase
in membrane permeability to Na+ (1), Na+ rushes in () due to
the concentration gradient that exist between the outside and
the inside of the membrane (). The membrane is
depolarised (). / Membrane potential changes to (+)ve
value.
(3)

N = K+ moves out by diffusion (), Na+ stops rushing in (),

membrane is repolarized (). / Membrane potential returns to
(-)ve value.
1
(4)
(b) unidirectional transmission - a short refractory period () after the action
potential when axon will not respond to another stimulus ().
(1)
Q4 = 5 marks

1998 Paper 2 Question 1 Solution

1. (a) Left () cerebral cortex () / motor area of cerebrum initiates ()
impulse () that travels along a neurone () / axon. Synapse () with
interneurone () at the spinal cord (). Synapse with a motor neurone
(). Efferent motor impulse () exits the spinal cord via the ventral root
(), reaches the muscle ().
 (max. 5)
If afferent pathway is mentioned in addition to efferent pathway, total mark for (a) is halved,
denoted by WC = , round up to the nearest integer.

Deduct for flow chart only, denote as F =

Deduct for point from answer, denoted as P

(b) The flexor / biceps will contract () and the extensor / triceps will relax
(). At the flexor (), on the arrival of the action potential () / impulse ,
the action potential is propagated () along the sarcolemma () into the
muscle to trigger the formation of cross bridge () between the
*myosin () and *actin (), result in actin slides towards the myosin (1) /
myosin pulls actin towards it. Shortening of the sarcomere () /
decrease in length of light / I band, results in shortening of muscle fibre
(); the muscle contracts, ATP / energy () for this sliding mechanism is
provided by the mitochondria()
max. 7

Deduct 1 mark if flow chart only, denote as F = 1

Deduct 1 mark if in point form only, denote as P = 1
[Max. deduction is 1 mark only.]
(Diagram must show the correct arrangement of actin and myosin
filaments (1), light (I band) and dark (A band) bands (1) and the result /
direction of sliding (1).)
3
 light band dark band

Relaxed state

myosin actin

sarcomere

Contracted
state

Sarcomere shortens

(10)
(c) synovial gap() : a space between the upper arm and lower arm bones
so that bending can occur (1)
() + (1)
synovial membrane () : secretes the synovial fluid ().
() +()
synovial fluid () : cushioning effect during movement ().
() + ()
minimize friction / serves as lubricant so that motion
can occur smoothly ()
+ ()
cartilage at ends of bones () : smooth surface () to minimize friction
() during movement
)+(1)
ligaments binding the two bones () : connect the 2 bones in place (),
prevents dislocation ()
()+1

(max. 5)
Deduct mark if in point form, denote as P = ;
Deduct mark if in table form, denote as T =
[Max. mark deduction is .]
Question Total : 20

Overflow : 3