1.

Action Potential
1. The diagram below shows one type of mammalian neurone.

D e n d rite

C e ll b o d y

N o d e o f R a n v ie r

S y n a p tic k n o b

(a) (i) Name the type and state the role of the neurone shown in the diagram.

Type: ................................................................................................................

Role: .................................................................................................................

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(2)

(ii) Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the direction in which an impulse would
travel.
(1)

(b) State precisely where in the central nervous system the cell body of this type of neurone
is found and explain the importance of the dendrites.

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A2 Unit 5: Energy Exercise and Coordination: Topic 8: Grey Matter 1

 1. Action Potential

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(2)

(c) Describe the node of Ranvier and explain its importance in the neurone.

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(3)
(Total 8 marks)

2. The diagram shows a longitudinal section through part of the axon of a myelinated neurone.

M y e lin
s h e a th

(a) Describe the structure of the myelin sheath.

.
(2)

A2 Unit 5: Energy Exercise and Coordination: Topic 8: Grey Matter 2

 1. Action Potential
(b) The table shows the speed of conduction of an impulse along axons with different
diameters. Data from both myelinated and non-myelinated neurones are included.

Diameter of axon Speed of conduction

Type of neurone /m /m s1
Non-myelinated 2 2
Non-myelinated 15 5
Non-myelinated 700 22
Myelinated 10 30
Myelinated 15 80

With reference to the data, describe and explain the effect that the myelin sheath has on the
speed of conduction of a nerve impulse.

.
(5)

(Total 7 marks)

3. Neurones transmit electrical impulses along their cell surface membranes when stimulated to do
so. These impulses are called action potentials and involve changes in the electrical potential

A2 Unit 5: Energy Exercise and Coordination: Topic 8: Grey Matter 3

 1. Action Potential
across the membranes due to movement of positive ions. The diagram below shows the
distribution of charge inside and outside an unmyelinated axon as an impulse passes along.

D ir e c tio n o f im p u ls e

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

+ + + + + +

A xon

+ + + + + +

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
D C B A

(a) Use the most suitable term from the list below to describe the state of the axon in regions
B, C and D. Region A has been done for you.

Depolarising Resting Repolarising

A Resting

B ......................................................................

C ......................................................................

D ......................................................................
(2)

(b) The diagram below shows two action potentials recorded using an oscilloscope.

+60
M e m b ran e
+40
p o te n tia l
/m V
+20

20

40

60 X

80

100
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

T im e / m s

(i) Explain how the change in membrane potential between 0.5 and 2.0 milliseconds is
brought about.

A2 Unit 5: Energy Exercise and Coordination: Topic 8: Grey Matter 4

 1. Action Potential
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(4)

(ii) Calculate the number of action potentials occurring per second. Show your
working.

Answer .................................. per second

(2)

(c) Explain what is taking place during the period marked X on the diagram in part (b).

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(3)
(Total 11 marks)

4. (a) The graph below shows the changes in membrane potential of a myelinated nerve
fibre when a nerve impulse travels along it. The maximum depolarisation in the nerve
A2 Unit 5: Energy Exercise and Coordination: Topic 8: Grey Matter 5
 1. Action Potential
fibre is +40 mV.

+40

+20

0
1 2 3 4 5 6
M e m b ra n e p o te n tia l / m V

T im e / m s

20

40

60

80

(i) On the graph, draw an arrow to show the time when the sodium ion channels open.
(1)

(ii) Explain the meaning of the term myelinated.

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(2)

(iii) State what effect myelination has on the speed of conduction.

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(1)

(b) On the graph below show the changes in membrane potential of a nerve fibre, with a
resting potential of 60mV and a maximum depolarisation of +35mV, during the passage

A2 Unit 5: Energy Exercise and Coordination: Topic 8: Grey Matter 6

 1. Action Potential
of an impulse.

+40

+20

0
1 2 3 4 5 6
M e m b ra n e p o te n tia l / m V

T im e / m s

20

40

60

80
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

5. Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system in which the myelin sheath around the
neurones of the central nervous system is damaged. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are
wide ranging, including loss of limb control, tiredness, speech impairment and eye problems.
The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it appears to involve the bodys immune system
attacking the myelin. The myelin is made up of many cell membranes packed closely together,
and so consists mostly of lipids and proteins. In multiple sclerosis, it is destroyed and replaced
by scar tissue.

Describe the role of the myelin sheath and suggest how damage to the myelin sheath could
interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses.

(Allow one lined page)

(Total 6 marks)

A2 Unit 5: Energy Exercise and Coordination: Topic 8: Grey Matter 7