Multiple Choice Quiz
Which structure releases glucagon?
• A. α cells of the pancreas
• B. β cells of the pancreas
• C. Liver cells
• D. Hypothalamus
What is the main function of the large intestine?
• A. Absorption of water
• B. Digestion of fats and proteins
• C. Absorption of nutrients
• D. Recycling of digestive enzymes
What does the digestion of starch by amylase
produce?
• A. Lactose
• B. Sucrose
• C. Galactose
• D. Maltose
Which chamber of the heart has the thickest
walls?
• A. Left atrium
• B. Right atrium
• C. Left ventricle
• D. Right ventricle
Which of the following statements about
antibodies is correct?
• A. Antibodies are polypeptides.
• B. Antibodies are produced by the bone
marrow.
• C. Antibodies are pathogenic foreign
substances.
• D. Antibodies kill bacteria but not viruses.
• What are two effects of HIV on the immune
system?
• A. Reduction in antibody production and
increase in active lymphocytes
• B. Increase in antibody production and decrease
in red blood cells
• C. Reduction in antibody production and
decrease in active lymphocytes
• D. Increase in antibody production and increase
in red blood cells
• Which factors related to mucous membranes
protect the body against microbes?
• I. Production of lysozyme
• II. Secretion of alkaline solutions
• III. Trapping of microbes
• A. I and II only
• B. II and III only
• C. I and III only
• D. I, II and III
• Which of the following is part of the process
of cellular respiration?
• A. Changes in the volume of the thoracic
cavity
• B. Exchange of gases across the surface of the
alveoli
• C. Exchange of gases across the surface of
capillaries
• D. Glycolysis
• Which muscles contract to cause air to pass
into the lungs through the trachea?
• A. Internal intercostal muscles and diaphragm
• B. Internal intercostal muscles and abdomen
wall muscles
• C. External intercostal muscles and
diaphragm
• D. External intercostal muscles and abdomen
wall muscles
What change occurs to the pressure and volume
of the lungs when the external intercostal
muscles contract?
• A. Both pressure and volume increase.
• B. Pressure increases and volume decreases.
• C. Pressure decreases and volume increases.
• D. Both pressure and volume decrease.
Between which structures do sensory neurons
carry nerve impulses?
• A. From receptors to muscles
• B. From effectors to the central nervous
system (CNS)
• C. From the central nervous system (CNS) to
receptors
• D. From receptors to the central nervous
system (CNS)
A process occurs in which the inside of a neuron
develops a net positive charge compared with
the outside. What is the name of this process?
• A. Resting potential
• B. Repolarization
• C. Depolarization
• D. Hyperpolarization
What causes the formation of a nerve impulse
on the post-synaptic membrane?
• A. Ca2+ binding with a receptor site
• B. K+ leaking into the post-synaptic
membrane
• C. Neurotransmitter binding with receptor
sites
• D. Neurotransmitter being removed from the
synapse
What is a role of the hypothalamus in
homeostasis?
• A. Monitoring body temperature
• B. Monitoring blood glucose concentration
• C. Secretion of glucagon
• D. Secretion of sweat
Answers
Which structure releases glucagon?
• A. α cells of the pancreas
• B. β cells of the pancreas
• C. Liver cells
• D. Hypothalamus
Which structure releases glucagon?
• A. α cells of the pancreas
• B. β cells of the pancreas
• C. Liver cells
• D. Hypothalamus
What is the main function of the large intestine?
• A. Absorption of water
• B. Digestion of fats and proteins
• C. Absorption of nutrients
• D. Recycling of digestive enzymes
What is the main function of the large intestine?
• A. Absorption of water
• B. Digestion of fats and proteins
• C. Absorption of nutrients
• D. Recycling of digestive enzymes
• What does the digestion of starch by amylase
produce?
• A. Lactose
• B. Sucrose
• C. Galactose
• D. Maltose
What does the digestion of starch by amylase
produce?
• A. Lactose
• B. Sucrose
• C. Galactose
• D. Maltose
Which chamber of the heart has the thickest
walls?
• A. Left atrium
• B. Right atrium
• C. Left ventricle
• D. Right ventricle
Which chamber of the heart has the thickest
walls?
• A. Left atrium
• B. Right atrium
• C. Left ventricle
• D. Right ventricle
Which of the following statements about
antibodies is correct?
• A. Antibodies are polypeptides.
• B. Antibodies are produced by the bone
marrow.
• C. Antibodies are pathogenic foreign
substances.
• D. Antibodies kill bacteria but not viruses.
Which of the following statements about
antibodies is correct?
• A. Antibodies are polypeptides.
• B. Antibodies are produced by the bone
marrow.
• C. Antibodies are pathogenic foreign
substances.
• D. Antibodies kill bacteria but not viruses.
• What are two effects of HIV on the immune
system?
• A. Reduction in antibody production and
increase in active lymphocytes
• B. Increase in antibody production and decrease
in red blood cells
• C. Reduction in antibody production and
decrease in active lymphocytes
• D. Increase in antibody production and increase
in red blood cells
• What are two effects of HIV on the immune
system?
• A. Reduction in antibody production and
increase in active lymphocytes
• B. Increase in antibody production and decrease
in red blood cells
• C. Reduction in antibody production and
decrease in active lymphocytes
• D. Increase in antibody production and increase
in red blood cells
• Which factors related to mucous membranes
protect the body against microbes?
• I. Production of lysozyme
• II. Secretion of alkaline solutions
• III. Trapping of microbes
• A. I and II only
• B. II and III only
• C. I and III only
• D. I, II and III
Which factors related to mucous membranes
protect the body against microbes?
• I. Production of lysozyme
• II. Secretion of alkaline solutions
• III. Trapping of microbes
• A. I and II only
• B. II and III only
• C. I and III only
• D. I, II and III
• Which of the following is part of the process
of cellular respiration?
• A. Changes in the volume of the thoracic
cavity
• B. Exchange of gases across the surface of the
alveoli
• C. Exchange of gases across the surface of
capillaries
• D. Glycolysis
• Which of the following is part of the process
of cellular respiration?
• A. Changes in the volume of the thoracic
cavity
• B. Exchange of gases across the surface of the
alveoli
• C. Exchange of gases across the surface of
capillaries
• D. Glycolysis
• Which muscles contract to cause air to pass
into the lungs through the trachea?
• A. Internal intercostal muscles and diaphragm
• B. Internal intercostal muscles and abdomen
wall muscles
• C. External intercostal muscles and
diaphragm
• D. External intercostal muscles and abdomen
wall muscles
• Which muscles contract to cause air to pass
into the lungs through the trachea?
• A. Internal intercostal muscles and diaphragm
• B. Internal intercostal muscles and abdomen
wall muscles
• C. External intercostal muscles and
diaphragm
• D. External intercostal muscles and abdomen
wall muscles
What change occurs to the pressure and volume
of the lungs when the external intercostal
muscles contract?
• A. Both pressure and volume increase.
• B. Pressure increases and volume decreases.
• C. Pressure decreases and volume increases.
• D. Both pressure and volume decrease.
What change occurs to the pressure and volume
of the lungs when the external intercostal
muscles contract?
• A. Both pressure and volume increase.
• B. Pressure increases and volume decreases.
• C. Pressure decreases and volume increases.
• D. Both pressure and volume decrease.
Between which structures do sensory neurons
carry nerve impulses?
• A. From receptors to muscles
• B. From effectors to the central nervous
system (CNS)
• C. From the central nervous system (CNS) to
receptors
• D. From receptors to the central nervous
system (CNS)
Between which structures do sensory neurons
carry nerve impulses?
• A. From receptors to muscles
• B. From effectors to the central nervous
system (CNS)
• C. From the central nervous system (CNS) to
receptors
• D. From receptors to the central nervous
system (CNS)
A process occurs in which the inside of a neuron
develops a net positive charge compared with
the outside. What is the name of this process?
• A. Resting potential
• B. Repolarization
• C. Depolarization
• D. Hyperpolarization
A process occurs in which the inside of a neuron
develops a net positive charge compared with
the outside. What is the name of this process?
• A. Resting potential
• B. Repolarization
• C. Depolarization
• D. Hyperpolarization
What causes the formation of a nerve impulse
on the post-synaptic membrane?
• A. Ca2+ binding with a receptor site
• B. K+ leaking into the post-synaptic
membrane
• C. Neurotransmitter binding with receptor
sites
• D. Neurotransmitter being removed from the
synapse
What causes the formation of a nerve impulse
on the post-synaptic membrane?
• A. Ca2+ binding with a receptor site
• B. K+ leaking into the post-synaptic
membrane
• C. Neurotransmitter binding with receptor
sites
• D. Neurotransmitter being removed from the
synapse
What is a role of the hypothalamus in
homeostasis?
• A. Monitoring body temperature
• B. Monitoring blood glucose concentration
• C. Secretion of glucagon
• D. Secretion of sweat
What is a role of the hypothalamus in
homeostasis?
• A. Monitoring body temperature
• B. Monitoring blood glucose concentration
• C. Secretion of glucagon
• D. Secretion of sweat
Essay questions
Explain how nerve impulses are transmitted
along and between neurons. [9]
1. Arrival of Action Potential
causes Na+ channels to
open and Na+ to rush in =>
internal potential reversed
(more positive inside than
outside) DEPOLARIZATION
2. K+ channels open and K+
flows in => internal charge
is negative again
REPOLARIZATION
Explain how nerve impulses are transmitted
along and between neurons. [9]
• the resting potential of cell is negative inside compared with
outside;
• stimulation causes depolarization/reversal of charge on each side;
• due to Na+ channels opening / Na+ flowing into the cell;
• which causes an action potential;
• K+ channels open / K+ flows out of the cell;
• sodium potassium pump restores resting potential;
• transmitted between neurons across a synapse;
• neurotransmitter released into synaptic cleft;
• diffuse across cleft to postsynaptic membrane;
• where they bind to receptors;
• influx of Na+ into cell;
• which may initiate action potential;
Explain the principle of homeostasis with reference
to the control of body temperature. [9]
8. Negative Feedback Mechanism
•
set-point: a constant value to which
a variable is constrained
•
receptors: sensors respond to stimuli
•
control center: receives information
from sensors, compares the value to
a set-point and direct actions to
return the variable to its set-point
•
effectors: a mechanism for taking
action to return a variable to its setpoint
•
responses: the resulting action
produced by an effector
10. Thermoregulation
• Set point: core body
temperature: 37C
• Sensors: blood and body
temperatures above and below
38C
• Control center: Hypothalamus
thermostat sensitivity to blood
temperature + connection to
pituitary gland
10. Thermoregulation: Effectors
Response to overheating
Response to chilling
Vasodilation (skin arterioles
become wider)  Increase heat
loss
Vasoconstriction (skin arterioles
become narrower)  decreases
heat loss
Skeletal muscles remain relaxed 
decrease heat generation
Skeletal muscles cause rapid
contractions (shivering)  increase
heat generation
Sweating  Increase heat loss
No sweating  decrease heat loss
Explain the principle of homeostasis with reference to
the control of body temperature. [9]
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
homeostasis involves maintaining a constant internal environment;
involves the concept of negative feedback;
a deviation from the norm is the stimulus to trigger the mechanisms to restore the
norm / OWTTE;
body temperature in mammals must be maintained at a constant
level for enzymes;
controlled by the hypothalamus / hypothalamus as a thermostat;
too hot causes vasodilation so more heat is lost from skin;
too hot causes sweating as evaporation of sweat leads to cooling;
too cold causes shivering/muscle contraction as (increased metabolic rate)
generates heat;
too cold causes vasoconstriction so less heat lost from skin;
liver/muscles can generate heat which is distributed around the body by blood;
hair can trap air which insulates against heat loss (goose bumps);
behavioural example of heat retention; (e.g. adding layers of clothes, jumping up
and down, huddling in groups)
Discuss the cause, transmission and
social implications of AIDS. [8]
•
•
•
cause: [4 max]
AIDS caused by HIV;
penetrates (T) lymphocytes;
(envelope) (glyco)protein and cell receptors involved;
number of lymphocytes reduced over years;
results in lower immunity;
other illnesses develop (as result of lower immunity);
AIDS is the observed syndrome when final stages of infection
develop / OWTTE;
transmission: [3 max]
HIV transmitted through blood/sexual contact/body fluids/placenta/
childbirth/breastfeeding;
distribution/transmission uneven around the world;
transmission risk increased depending on society’s traditions/beliefs/
behaviour;
(rare minority of) individuals do not have cell receptors and do not
develop AIDS;
condoms/latex barriers only protection against transmission through
sexual contact;
social implications: [3 max]
treatment expensive;
discrimination against victims;
moral obligation of wealthy countries to help poorer countries;
economic consequences / loss of wage earners etc.;
increase in the number of orphans;
comment on traditions/beliefs/behaviour; (if not already
awarded in transmission) 8 max
HIV/AIDS
• HIV recognizes certain
proteins in cell
membrane of helper T
cells
• Helper T cells: cells
that communicate
which cells need to
undergo cloning
process and begin
antibody production
 weakened immune
system
Explain the mechanisms involved
in the ventilation of the lungs.[8]
6.4.5 How does ventilation occur?
• Controlled by inverse relationship between
pressure and volume (i.e. increase in volume 
decrease in pressure)
• ‘Partial vacuum’
6.4.5 How does ventilation occur?
Explain the mechanisms involved in
the ventilation of the lungs.[8]
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
external intercostal muscles contract;
internal intercostal muscles relax;
pulling the rib cage upwards;
diaphragm contracts and flattens;
increase in volume of thoracic cavity;
this reduces pressure;
so air enters the lungs;
internal intercostal muscles contract / external intercostal muscles relax;
diaphragm relaxes;
abdominal muscles/organs/liver push diaphragm upwards;
decrease in volume of thoracic cavity;
increases the pressure;
so air leaves the lungs;
Award any of the above points if clearly drawn in a diagram.
8 max
Describe the relationship between the structure
and function of blood vessels. [6]
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
arteries carry blood under high pressure;
they have a thicker elastic wall/narrower lumen;
they have muscles that control pressure / help move the blood;
veins carry blood under lower pressure;
they have thin walls with less elastic tissue/muscle/wider lumen;
have valves to prevent back flow;
capillaries have walls which are one cell thick;
to allow easy diffusion across their wall / ultrafiltration;
(some) capillaries have pores/clefts;
Award [5 max] if capillaries are not referred to.
6 max
Outline the role of hormones in
the menstrual cycle. [6]
2. Menstrual cycle
• Purpose: release egg for
possible fertilization and
implantation in the uterus
• Each cycle lasts 28 days
• All egg cells created before
birth and matures at the
onset of puberty
• Premature egg cells (oocytes)
develop in follicles
• Follicle deteriorates into a
corpus luteum
Hormones released from anterior pituitary
• FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
– Stimulates growth of follicle
– Stimulate secretion of estrogen
• LH (Luteinizing hormone)
– Stimulates ovluation
– Stimulates conversion of empty follicle to corpus
luteum
– Stimulates secretion of estrogen and progesterone
by corpus luteum
Hormones released from ovaries
• Estrogen (released from ovaries)
– Stimulates repair and growth of endometrium
(uterus lining)
– Negative feedback on pituitary to block FSH
– Positive feedback on pituitary to release LH
• Progesterone (released from corpus luteum)
– Stimulates final growth of uterine lining
– Negative feedback on pituitary to block FSH and
LH
Outline the role of hormones in the
menstrual cycle. [6]
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
FSH promotes development of a new follicle;
also leads to the production of estrogen;
estrogen brings about repair and growth of uterine lining;
estrogen causes negative feedback of FSH;
estrogen brings about LH production;
LH stimulates follicle growth;
LH triggers ovulation;
estrogen contributes to the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle /
triggers LH surge;
• progesterone contributes to the secretory phase of the uterine cycle/
maintains uterus lining;
• lowered level of progesterone (due to degeneration of corpus luteum)
Draw a labelled diagram of the adult
female reproductive system. [4]
• Award [1] for each structure
clearly drawn and correctly
labelled.
ovary—shown adjacent to but not
joined to oviduct/fallopian tube;
• oviduct/fallopian tube — shown
as a tube leading into a uterus;
• uterus—shown with a thicker wall
than oviduct/fallopian tube;
• vagina—shown leading from the
uterus, connected to the cervix;
• cervix — shown as a constriction
between the vagina and uterus;
• endometrium—shown as inner
lining of uterus;
4 max
Draw and label a diagram of the
digestive system. [4]
• esophagus — attached to both mouth and stomach;
• stomach — j-shaped sac attached to esophagus and u-shaped
portion of
• small intestine;
• large intestine — wider diameter than small intestine, attached to
small intestine;
• pancreas — leaf-shaped, in u-shaped region of small intestine with
small duct
• connected to small intestine;
• liver — large, triangular, to left of stomach;
• gall bladder — small sac drawn on top of liver with tube connected
to small
• intestine at same region as duct from pancreas;
• anus —at end of large intestine but narrower in diameter;
4 max
Digestive system