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Date November 2020 Marks available 4 Reference code 20N.3.SL.TZ0.7
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone TZ0 / no time zone
Command term Explain Question number 7 Adapted from N/A

Question

Explain how autopsy and lesions can be used to identify the role of different brain parts.

Markscheme

a. an autopsy occurs after death/post-mortem;

b. lesions occur in the brain because of injury/illness;

c. changes in function/behaviour can be attributed to damaged areas;

d. can be diagnosed using fMRI/CAT scan/PET scan;

e. one example e.g. damage to Broca’s area affects speech;

Examiners report

This question discriminated well, with strong candidates scoring full marks. There were marks awarded for simply stating what is meant by autopsy and lesions, but many weaker candidates failed to do this. A few referred to animal experimentation or removing parts of brain in live humans to see the effect.

Syllabus sections

Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour » Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour (Core topics) » A.2 The human brain
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