User interface language: English | Español

Date May 2018 Marks available 1 Reference code 18M.3.HL.TZ2.5
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 2
Command term Label Question number 5 Adapted from N/A

Question

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

[Source: Reprinted by permission from Springer Nature: Nature, Pathways towards and away from Alzheimer’s disease,
Mark P. Mattson, © 2004]

Label the cerebellum on image I.

[1]
a.i.

State one function of the cerebellum.

[1]
a.ii.

State the difference in the cerebral cortex between the two images of the brain.

[1]
b.

A person with Alzheimer’s disease typically has a reduced nucleus accumbens. Predict how this will affect the person.

[2]
c.

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.

[2]
d.

Markscheme

cerebellum properly labelled

[Source: Reprinted by permission from Springer Nature: Nature, Pathways towards and away from Alzheimer’s disease, Mark P. Mattson, © 2004]

a.i.

balance
OR
coordination
OR
motor control

a.ii.

a. «image II shows» reduction in size/volume/total amount of tissue/lobes 

b. «image II shows» increased space between foldings 

c. «image II shows» reduced surface area

Allow vice versa for image I.

b.

a. reduced cognitive function/processing/memory 

b. reduced reward/pleasure perception 

c. depression

OWTTE.

c.

a. brain metabolism requires large energy inputs
OR
glucose is the only source of energy of the brain 

b. «less glucose» means there is less respiration/metabolic reactions 

c. less cognitive/functional/synaptic activity 

d. some cell death

d.

Examiners report

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

Syllabus sections

Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour » Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour (Core topics) » A.2 The human brain
Show 86 related questions
Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour » Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour (Core topics)
Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour

View options