Control and coordination: past paper questions
Real questions on control and coordination
The newest 20 of 46 written questions, plus 7 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9700/41 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[3]
Complete Table 5.1 to show the features of three cell‑signalling molecules of the endocrine system: antidiuretic hormone (ADH), glucagon and insulin. Use a tick (3) if the molecule has the feature and a cross ( 7 ) if the molecule does not have the feature. Put a tick (3) or a cross ( 7 ) in every box. ADH glucagon ins...
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[4]
The endocrine system has a slower transmission speed than the nervous system. Describe other ways in which the endocrine system and the nervous system differ.
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · May/June 2025 · Q10a[7]
Describe the events that cause each of the potential differences at points X, Y and Z.
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · May/June 2025 · Q10b[2]
Suggest how one action potential causes an action potential in an adjacent section of the axon of an unmyelinated neurone.
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · May/June 2025 · Q10c[3]
Vertebrate animals generally have a myelin sheath around the axons of motor neurones. Explain why the presence of a myelin sheath around a motor neurone axon is an advantage.
See it on the paper → - 9700/43 · May/June 2025 · Q9a[4]
Most carnivorous mammals need to move to hunt their prey. Outline why a carnivorous mammal makes more use of its nervous system, rather than its endocrine system, when it hunts.
See it on the paper → - 9700/43 · May/June 2025 · Q9b[3]
Fig. 9.1 On Fig. 9.1, add label lines and the letters R, S and T to label a part of the neurone that: • can become depolarised – use the letter R • contains many mitochondria – use the letter S (b) Fig. 9.1 is a diagram of a motor neurone.
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(i)[2]
Identify one similarity and one difference between paracrine cell signalling and cell signalling that occurs as part of the endocrine system.
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Explain why a neurotransmitter such as acetylcholine could be described as a paracrine signalling molecule.
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · May/June 2024 · Q2b[3]
Human muscle cells show paracrine signalling. After muscle cells have been exposed to a substance called palmitate they: • • produce a signalling molecule show an increase in the expression of genes involved in a stress response (stress genes). Scientists carried out three experiments to investigate the signalling mole...
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · May/June 2024 · Q2c[3]
The process of protein translation is inhibited in developing muscle cells when stress genes are expressed. Suggest how developing muscle cells that express stress genes will differ in structure from normal muscle cells.
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · October/November 2023 · Q7a(i)[4]
Outline the similarities in structure between a neuromuscular junction and a cholinergic synapse.
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · October/November 2023 · Q7a(ii)[3]
The hydrolysis of ATP during muscle contraction releases inorganic phosphate (P i ). Calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) can combine with P i in the sarcoplasmic reticulum to form insoluble calcium phosphate. This may result in fewer power strokes occurring in sarcomeres. Suggest why calcium phosphate formation in the sarcoplasmic r...
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · October/November 2023 · Q7b[2]
Adrenaline is a hormone that can affect muscle contraction. Adrenaline binds to G-protein-coupled receptors on T-tubule membranes. The cell signalling pathway that occurs in response to the binding of adrenaline is similar to the pathway that occurs in liver cells in response to the binding of glucagon. Fig. 7.1 is an...
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · October/November 2023 · Q9a(ii)[4]
When high frequency sound is detected, the receptor cells in the tympanal organ stimulate the transmission of impulses in sensory neurones. Describe the sequence of events that results in an action potential in a sensory neurone. The first event in the sequence has been given for you. Calcium ions enter the cytoplasm o...
See it on the paper → - 9700/42 · October/November 2023 · Q9b[4]
Outline the differences between the endocrine system and the nervous system.
See it on the paper → - 9700/51 · May/June 2023 · Q2a[3]
Some scientists found out from a published source that 13 or more attached salmon lice usually cause the death of a sea trout kept in laboratory conditions. The scientists decided that each wild sea trout with 13 or more salmon lice is at risk of physiological stress and potential death. Outline a laboratory method tha...
See it on the paper → - 9700/42 · October/November 2022 · Q10b[3]
The passage below outlines cell signalling. Complete the passage by using the most appropriate scientific terms. Cells need to interact with their environment and other cells around them. This is called cell signalling. Cells in mammals are involved in a complex system of communication with each other. For example, liv...
See it on the paper → - 9700/52 · October/November 2022 · Q2a[1]
Describe two features of an appropriate control group for this investigation.
See it on the paper → - 9700/52 · October/November 2022 · Q2c(i)[2]
State which statistical test would have been used to establish the statistical significance between the control and OVT73 data sets. Explain why the test chosen was suitable. statistical test explanation
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The commonest correct points made were mentioning the synaptic cleft and receptors. Some candidates gave one or two similarities in the distribution or function of ion channels in both, and some named the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes (or sarcolemma). A small number of candidates knew that both have vesicles containing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and a very few mentioned large num...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/41 Q7(a)(i) (Cambridge)
This was an unusual question context, and many candidates applied their knowledge of the sliding filament theory to reason a correct answer. Clarity of language was important, as to gain credit the answer had to make clear that few calcium ions would bind to troponin, not many troponin molecules would change shape, the movement of tropomyosin would be less (than if calcium phosphate did not form)...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/41 Q7(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates identified A in Fig. 7.1 as adenyl cyclase; a smaller number gave the full name of B as protein kinase A.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/41 Q7(b) (Cambridge)
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