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Date May 2017 Marks available 2 Reference code 17M.3.HL.TZ2.6
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 2
Command term Outline Question number 6 Adapted from N/A

Question

The diagram shows the mechanism of action of the psychoactive drug cocaine.

Suggest how cocaine might influence the brain.

[2]
a.

Dopamine acts as a slow-acting neurotransmitter. Outline one function of slow-acting neurotransmitters.

[2]
b.

Outline the structure of a reflex arc.

[3]
c.

State the type of receptor that detects odours.

[1]
d.

Markscheme

a. «cocaine» is an excitatory drug  OWTTE
OR
excitatory influence on the brain 

b. increase the concentration/level of dopamine in the synapse  OWTTE

c. prolonged effect/continuous stimulus of dopamine on the brain/postsynaptic neuron 

d. addiction/dependence on high levels of dopamine for the same effect/addiction

a.

a. they contribute to memory/learning 

b. they modulate fast synaptic transmission «in the brain» 

c. by causing the release of secondary messengers in the postsynaptic neuron

b.

a. receptor cell  

b. sensory neuron passes stimulus 

c. to interneuron/relay neuron 

d. which transmit response to motor neuron 

e. effector

Award marking points for a clearly annotated diagram.
eg:

c.

olfactory «receptor»
OR
chemoreceptor

 

d.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.
[N/A]
d.

Syllabus sections

Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour » Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour (Additional higher level topics) » A.5 Neuropharmacology
Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour » Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour (Additional higher level topics)
Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour

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