Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour (Core topics)

State a function of the cerebellum.

State a function of the cerebellum.

State a function of the cerebellum.

Outline the trend in large tree finch song frequency.

Outline the trend in large tree finch song frequency.

Outline the trend in large tree finch song frequency.

Using the letter M, label the structures which detect movement of the head.

Using the letter M, label the structures which detect movement of the head.

Using the letter M, label the structures which detect movement of the head.

Explain the function of the cochlea in hearing.

Explain the function of the cochlea in hearing.

Explain the function of the cochlea in hearing.

The diagrams illustrate changes in synapse density of the cerebral cortex from newborn to adult.

[Source: THE POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN CEREBRAL CORTEX, VOLUMES IVIII, by Jesse LeRoy Conel, Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, Copyright © 1939, 1941, 1947, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1963, 1967
by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Copyright © renewed 1967, 1969, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1991.]

Explain the processes illustrated by the diagrams.

The diagrams illustrate changes in synapse density of the cerebral cortex from newborn to adult.

[Source: THE POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN CEREBRAL CORTEX, VOLUMES IVIII, by Jesse LeRoy Conel, Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, Copyright © 1939, 1941, 1947, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1963, 1967
by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Copyright © renewed 1967, 1969, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1991.]

Explain the processes illustrated by the diagrams.

List two functions of the structure labelled A.

List two functions of the structure labelled A.

List two functions of the structure labelled A.

Using the letter A, label where sound is amplified.

Using the letter A, label where sound is amplified.

Using the letter A, label where sound is amplified.

Suggest a role for the cerebral cortex in rodents such as rats and mice.

Suggest a role for the cerebral cortex in rodents such as rats and mice.

Suggest a role for the cerebral cortex in rodents such as rats and mice.

Explain how the cerebral cortex in humans differs from other mammals.

Explain how the cerebral cortex in humans differs from other mammals.

Explain how the cerebral cortex in humans differs from other mammals.

Describe red-green colour blindness.

Describe red-green colour blindness.

Describe red-green colour blindness.

Label the cerebellum on image I.

Label the cerebellum on image I.

Label the cerebellum on image I.

Identify the part of the ear labelled X.

Identify the part of the ear labelled X.

Identify the part of the ear labelled X.

Explain the causes of spina bifida in vertebrates.

Explain the causes of spina bifida in vertebrates.

Explain the causes of spina bifida in vertebrates.

Outline the role of the ear in balance perception.

Outline the role of the ear in balance perception.

Outline the role of the ear in balance perception.

The diagram shows one of the stages in neurulation.

Describe what happens next in neurulation.

The diagram shows one of the stages in neurulation.

Describe what happens next in neurulation.

The diagram shows one of the stages in neurulation.

Describe what happens next in neurulation.

Evaluate the claim that IGF influences turning angle and neuron extension.

Evaluate the claim that IGF influences turning angle and neuron extension.

Evaluate the claim that IGF influences turning angle and neuron extension.

Label the pupil and the retina on the diagram.

[Source: Holly Fischer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_eye#/media/File:Three_Internal_chambers_of_the_Eye.png]

Label the pupil and the retina on the diagram.

[Source: Holly Fischer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_eye#/media/File:Three_Internal_chambers_of_the_Eye.png]

Label the pupil and the retina on the diagram.

[Source: Holly Fischer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_eye#/media/File:Three_Internal_chambers_of_the_Eye.png]

Outline the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique for brain research.

Outline the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique for brain research.

Outline the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique for brain research.

Outline the role of the ear in balance perception.

Outline the role of the ear in balance perception.

Outline the role of the ear in balance perception.

Explain how the human eye is able to distinguish between different colours of light.

Explain how the human eye is able to distinguish between different colours of light.

The images show the differences in glucose uptake between the brain of a person without Alzheimer’s disease (image I) and the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease (image II). The key indicates the levels of glucose uptake.

Deduce the implications of reduced glucose uptake in the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease.

The images show the differences in glucose uptake between the brain of a person without Alzheimer’s disease (image I) and the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease (image II). The key indicates the levels of glucose uptake.

Deduce the implications of reduced glucose uptake in the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease.

The images show the differences in glucose uptake between the brain of a person without Alzheimer’s disease (image I) and the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease (image II). The key indicates the levels of glucose uptake.

Deduce the implications of reduced glucose uptake in the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease.

State the name of the general area of the brain affected by this stroke.

State the name of the general area of the brain affected by this stroke.

State the name of the general area of the brain affected by this stroke.

Annotate the diagram with an X to show the internal location where a cochlear implant is placed.

Annotate the diagram with an X to show the internal location where a cochlear implant is placed.

Annotate the diagram with an X to show the internal location where a cochlear implant is placed.

Explain the function of the semicircular canals.

Explain the function of the semicircular canals.

Explain the function of the semicircular canals.

Label the diagram to show part of the visual cortex of the brain.

Label the diagram to show part of the visual cortex of the brain.

Label the diagram to show part of the visual cortex of the brain.

It has been suggested that cinnamon might be of benefit to patients who are recovering from a stroke. Suggest one advantage of adding cinnamon to the diet of a patient who has suffered a stroke.

It has been suggested that cinnamon might be of benefit to patients who are recovering from a stroke. Suggest one advantage of adding cinnamon to the diet of a patient who has suffered a stroke.

It has been suggested that cinnamon might be of benefit to patients who are recovering from a stroke. Suggest one advantage of adding cinnamon to the diet of a patient who has suffered a stroke.

State the trend in relative brain mass in primates other than humans according to their time of divergence from humans.

State the trend in relative brain mass in primates other than humans according to their time of divergence from humans.

State the trend in relative brain mass in primates other than humans according to their time of divergence from humans.

Scientists demonstrated that cinnamon increased neural plasticity in some parts of mouse brains. Explain how neural plasticity could have affected learning in poor performer mice.

Scientists demonstrated that cinnamon increased neural plasticity in some parts of mouse brains. Explain how neural plasticity could have affected learning in poor performer mice.

Scientists demonstrated that cinnamon increased neural plasticity in some parts of mouse brains. Explain how neural plasticity could have affected learning in poor performer mice.

Primates belong to the phylum chordata. The neural tube of chordates is formed by the infolding of the ectoderm followed by the elongation of the tube. Outline the process of formation of neurons from this neural tube in primates.

Primates belong to the phylum chordata. The neural tube of chordates is formed by the infolding of the ectoderm followed by the elongation of the tube. Outline the process of formation of neurons from this neural tube in primates.

Primates belong to the phylum chordata. The neural tube of chordates is formed by the infolding of the ectoderm followed by the elongation of the tube. Outline the process of formation of neurons from this neural tube in primates.

Describe the use of cochlear implants in deaf patients. 

Describe the use of cochlear implants in deaf patients. 

Describe the use of cochlear implants in deaf patients. 

On the diagram, draw an arrow showing the direction of the light.

On the diagram, draw an arrow showing the direction of the light.

On the diagram, draw an arrow showing the direction of the light.

Suggest advantages of the cerebral cortex containing a high percentage of the brain’s neurons.

Suggest advantages of the cerebral cortex containing a high percentage of the brain’s neurons.

Suggest advantages of the cerebral cortex containing a high percentage of the brain’s neurons.

Outline the development of neurons from when they are first formed in the neural tube.

Outline the development of neurons from when they are first formed in the neural tube.

Outline the development of neurons from when they are first formed in the neural tube.

Discuss the methods used to identify the role of specific parts of the brain.

Discuss the methods used to identify the role of specific parts of the brain.

Explain how a functional MRI (fMRI) can be used to identify the function of parts of the brain.

Explain how a functional MRI (fMRI) can be used to identify the function of parts of the brain.

Explain how a functional MRI (fMRI) can be used to identify the function of parts of the brain.

Suggest one reason that the relative brain mass of Homo is different from Parapithecus and Australopithecus.

Suggest one reason that the relative brain mass of Homo is different from Parapithecus and Australopithecus.

Suggest one reason that the relative brain mass of Homo is different from Parapithecus and Australopithecus.

Deduce, with a reason, whether the relative brain mass is a good indicator of brain development.

Deduce, with a reason, whether the relative brain mass is a good indicator of brain development.

Deduce, with a reason, whether the relative brain mass is a good indicator of brain development.

On the diagram, draw an arrow showing the direction of the light.

On the diagram, draw an arrow showing the direction of the light.

On the diagram, draw an arrow showing the direction of the light.

State the type of cell in the retina which directly transmits impulses through the optic nerve to the brain.

State the type of cell in the retina which directly transmits impulses through the optic nerve to the brain.

State the type of cell in the retina which directly transmits impulses through the optic nerve to the brain.

Suggest, with reference to the structure of the ear, a reason that a cochlear implant requires an amplifier.

Suggest, with reference to the structure of the ear, a reason that a cochlear implant requires an amplifier.

Suggest, with reference to the structure of the ear, a reason that a cochlear implant requires an amplifier.

Describe the normal function of the cochlea.

Describe the normal function of the cochlea.

Describe the normal function of the cochlea.

Describe the changes occurring in this neuron from day 1 to day 2.

Describe the changes occurring in this neuron from day 1 to day 2.

Describe the changes occurring in this neuron from day 1 to day 2.

Suggest other processes that may occur during neural development.

Suggest other processes that may occur during neural development.

Suggest other processes that may occur during neural development.