| Date | May 2015 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 15M.3.HL.TZ2.5 |
| Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | Time zone 2 |
| Command term | Describe | Question number | 5 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
State one excitatory and one inhibitory psychoactive drug.
Excitatory: ............................................................
Inhibitory: ............................................................
Describe, using one specific example of an animal, how the process of learning can improve its chances of survival and reproduction.
Markscheme
a. excitatory: nicotine / cocaine / amphetamines / other drugs;
b. inhibitory: benzodiazepines / alcohol / THC / other drugs;
a. named animal;
b. description of learned action allowing a more flexible response that improves health/survival/reproduction;
eg:
a. chimpanzees;
b. poking sticks in the wood increases chances to get more food/termites/insects;
a. blue jays;
b. avoidance of certain bad taste / poisonous insects prevents them from being sick/poisoned;
a. hedgehogs;
b. running across roads instead of rolling up when vehicles approach more likely prevents them from being killed;
Accept any other verifiable examples.
Examiners report
The vast majority stated the psychoactive drugs correctly.
Most candidates provided correct examples and descriptions of learned behaviour, although some names (i.e. bird) and/or its importance were too vague; some also confused innate and learned behaviour.
