DP Biology Questionbank

Description

Nature of science:
Cooperation and collaboration between groups of scientists—biologists are contributing to research into memory and learning. (4.3)Understandings:

• Neurons transmit electrical impulses.
• The myelination of nerve fibres allows for saltatory conduction.
• Neurons pump sodium and potassium ions across their membranes to generate a resting potential.
• An action potential consists of depolarization and repolarization of the neuron.
• Nerve impulses are action potentials propagated along the axons of neurons.
• Propagation of nerve impulses is the result of local currents that cause each successive part of the axon to reach the threshold potential.
• Synapses are junctions between neurons and between neurons and receptor or effector cells.
• When presynaptic neurons are depolarized they release a neurotransmitter into the synapse.
• A nerve impulse is only initiated if the threshold potential is reached.

Applications and skills:

• Application: Secretion and reabsorption of acetylcholine by neurons at synapses.
• Application: Blocking of synaptic transmission at cholinergic synapses in insects by binding of neonicotinoid pesticides to acetylcholine receptors.
• Skill: Analysis of oscilloscope traces showing resting potentials and action potentials.

Guidance:

• The details of structure of different types of neuron are not needed.
• Only chemical synapses are required, not electrical, and they can simply be referred to as synapses.

Utilization:

• An understanding of the workings of neurotransmitters and synapses has led to the development of numerous pharmaceuticals for the treatment of mental disorders.

Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Biology
Topic 1.4 Membrane transport
Chemistry
Topic C6 Electrochemistry, rechargeable batteries and fuel cells
Psychology
Core: Biological level of analysis

Aims:

• Aim 8: The social effects of the abuse of psychoactive drugs could be considered, as could the use of the neurotoxin Botox for cosmetic treatments.

Directly related questions

• 17N.1.HL.TZ0.24: What happens when an action potential reaches motor end plates? A. Calcium ions are absorbed by...
• 17N.1.SL.TZ0.28: Which structure in the motor neuron is required for saltatory conduction? [Source:...
• 17M.2.HL.TZ1.1f.ii: Suggest a reason for the greater expression of the gene for the urea transporter after an...
• 17M.2.SL.TZ1.1c: Estimate how much smaller drilled oysters raised in seawater at a high CO2 concentration were...
• 17M.1.SL.TZ2.29: If schizophrenia is caused by an overabundance of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in...
• 17M.1.SL.TZ2.27: The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes infections related to the human reproductive system....
• 17M.1.SL.TZ1.25: Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft from the presynaptic neuron and travel to...
• 17M.1.SL.TZ1.24: The diagram below shows part of the membrane of a neuron. What stage of the action potential does...
• 17M.1.SL.TZ1.21: Cladograms can be created by comparing DNA or protein sequences. The cladogram on the left is...
• 16M.2.HL.TZ0.3c: Resistance to neonicotinoid pesticides has been observed in some insects....
• 16M.2.HL.TZ0.3b: All motor neurons use acetylcholine to activate skeletal muscle. Explain the effect of...
• 16M.2.SL.TZ0.5c: Explain the propagation of electrical impulses along a neuron including the role of myelin.
• 16N.1.HL.TZ0.24: The decline in European honeybee (Apis mellifera) populations may be linked to neonicotinoid...
• 16M.1.HL.TZ0.16: What is the mechanism of sodium-potassium pumps in neurons that generates a resting potential by...
• 15M.1.HL.TZ1.21: What is a feature of neurons?A. Relay neurons transmit impulses from motor to sensory neurons.B....
• 15M.1.SL.TZ2.29: What characterizes type I diabetes?A. It can be controlled by diet alone.B. Risk factors such as...
• 15M.2.SL.TZ2.7c: Nerves connecting the brain and heart contain neurons that control heart rate.  Explain how a...
• 15M.2.SL.TZ1.3d: Outline how nerve impulses are transmitted along a nerve fibre.
• 15M.1.HL.TZ2.35: What happens during synaptic transmission? A. K+ enters the postsynaptic membrane.B. A...
• 15N.1.HL.TZ0.23: What happens first when a neurotransmitter binds to a postsynaptic neuron? A. Ions diffuse B....
• 15N.2.SL.TZ0.7a: Draw a labelled diagram of a motor neuron.
• 15N.2.SL.TZ0.7b: Explain how an impulse passes along the membrane of a neuron.
• 15N.2.HL.TZ0.6b: Explain how an impulse passes along the axon of a neuron.
• 13M.1.HL.TZ1.23: Immediately after an action potential, which event causes the neuron membrane to repolarize? A....
• 13M.2.SL.TZ1.1d: Calculate the difference in median area of synapse between the control mice and mice treated with...
• 13M.1.HL.TZ2.23: What initiates an action potential along a neuron? A. Potassium and sodium ions diffuse out of a...
• 13M.2.SL.TZ1.1a: State the minimum ratio at which some mice showed no symptoms.
• 13M.2.SL.TZ1.1b: Analyse the effect of increasing the ratio of rAChE to OP on the symptoms in mice.
• 13M.2.SL.TZ1.1c: Predict what would happen if a mouse received 300 mg of rAChE and 600 mg of OP.
• 13M.2.SL.TZ1.1e: Describe the evidence for damage to synapses by OP provided by data in the box plot.
• 13M.2.SL.TZ1.1f: Using the data from both graphs, evaluate the hypothesis that plant-produced rAChE could be used...
• 13N.1.HL.TZ0.24: The diagram below shows the changes in membrane potential during an action potential. What...
• 13N.2.SL.TZ0.7c: Membranes of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons play an important role in transmission of...
• 13N.1.SL.TZ0.27: The diagram below shows the changes in membrane potential during an action potential. What...
• 13N.1.SL.TZ0.30: The diagram below shows a motor neuron. What are the structures indicated by X, Y and Z?
• 13N.2.HL.TZ0.7c: Membranes of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons play an important role in transmission of...
• 11M.1.HL.TZ1.39: A process occurs in which the inside of a neuron develops a net positive charge compared with the...
• 11M.1.SL.TZ2.13: Between which structures do sensory neurons carry nerve impulses? A. From receptors to muscles ...
• 12M.1.HL.TZ1.22: What is a characteristic of axons in motor neurons? A. When there is a resting potential, the...
• 12M.1.HL.TZ1.23: Which response takes place when blood glucose levels are low? A. Glucagon is released from the α...
• 12M.1.HL.TZ1.24: During the menstrual cycle, what occurs in response to a fall in the progesterone level? A....
• 09M.1.SL.TZ2.16: Which event directly leads to an action potential? A. Fusion of vesicles with the pre-synaptic...
• 09M.1.SL.TZ1.28: On the diagram of the motor neurone shown below, which label identifies a dendrite?
• 10M.1.SL.TZ1.30: In the diagram of synaptic transmission below, what is indicated by the letters X and Y?
• 10M.1.HL.TZ1.24: The diagram below shows the changes in membrane potential during an action potential. What occurs...
• 09N.1.SL.TZ0.28: The graph below shows changes in membrane potential in an axon during the passage of an action...
• 11N.1.HL.TZ0.30: Which term describes the phase of rapid entry of sodium ions (Na+) into an axon during an action...
• 11N.1.SL.TZ0.25: Between which structures do sensory neurons carry nerve impulses? A. From effectors to the...
• 12N.1.HL.TZ0.20: The diagram shows events at a synapse. What is happening at the point labelled X? A....
• 12N.1.SL.TZ0.7: Which element or ion is required for transmission of a nerve impulse? A. Phosphorous B. Sodium...
• 12N.2.SL.TZ0.7c: Explain the principles of synaptic transmission.    
• 09N.2.HL.TZ0.5c: Explain how nerve impulses are transmitted along and between neurons.
• 17M.1.HL.TZ2.36: If schizophrenia is caused by an overabundance of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in...
• 17M.1.HL.TZ2.35: What is essential for conduction of nerve impulses to be saltatory? A. Wrapping of myelin around...