Lesson 5.1.3a

5.1.3a Neuronal communication and synapses Quiz: OCR Biology, Unit 5

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 5.1.3a, Neuronal communication and synapses: 20 multiple choice questions for the OCR Biology (H020), Unit 5: Communication and homeostasis, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which ion influx depolarises an axon membrane during an action potential?

    • Sodium ions
    • Calcium ions
    • Potassium ions
    • Chloride ions

  2. Which neurone carries impulses from receptors towards the central nervous system?

    • Motor neurone
    • Relay neurone
    • Sensory neurone
    • Effector neurone

  3. Which neurone transmits impulses within the central nervous system?

    • Pacinian corpuscle
    • Motor neurone
    • Sensory neurone
    • Relay neurone

  4. Which neurone carries impulses from the central nervous system to an effector?

    • Relay neurone
    • Receptor cell
    • Motor neurone
    • Sensory neurone

  5. How does the myelin sheath speed up nerve impulse conduction along an axon?

    • Allows continuous conduction
    • Decreases resting potential
    • Enables saltatory conduction
    • Increases axon diameter

  6. What is the typical resting potential of a mammalian neurone?

    • -70 mV
    • -55 mV
    • +40 mV
    • +70 mV

  7. What effect does the influx of sodium ions have on a neurone membrane?

    • Accommodation
    • Repolarisation
    • Depolarisation
    • Hyperpolarisation

  8. What does an increased frequency of action potentials in a neurone indicate?

    • Faster impulse speed
    • Longer refractory period
    • Weaker stimulus
    • Stronger stimulus

  9. What is the term for the functional junction between two neurones?

    • Synapse
    • Myelin sheath
    • Axon hillock
    • Node of Ranvier

  10. Which neurotransmitter is released at a cholinergic synapse?

    • Noradrenaline
    • Acetylcholine
    • Dopamine
    • Serotonin

  11. Which ion channels open on the post-synaptic membrane when acetylcholine binds?

    • Potassium channels
    • Calcium channels
    • Chloride channels
    • Sodium channels

  12. Which enzyme breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft?

    • Acetylcholinesterase
    • Peptidase
    • Choline acetyltransferase
    • Monoamine oxidase

  13. What term describes several weak excitatory signals arriving together at a synapse?

    • Spatial summation
    • Action potential
    • Temporal summation
    • Saltatory conduction

  14. What effect does the opening of chloride channels have on post-synaptic potential?

    • Depolarisation
    • Repolarisation
    • Hyperpolarisation
    • Threshold potential

  15. What form of energy does a Pacinian corpuscle detect?

    • Chemical concentration
    • Thermal energy
    • Mechanical pressure
    • Light intensity

  16. What term describes action potentials jumping between nodes of Ranvier?

    • Temporal summation
    • Saltatory conduction
    • Continuous conduction
    • Spatial summation

  17. Which event during an action potential involves positive feedback?

    • Neurotransmitter breakdown
    • Potassium channel opening
    • Sodium-potassium pumping
    • Sodium channel opening

  18. What is the main effect of inhibiting acetylcholinesterase at a synapse?

    • Neurotransmitter depletion
    • Continuous stimulation
    • Impulse block
    • Membrane hyperpolarisation

  19. What depolarisation is needed to reach a -55 mV threshold from -70 mV?

    • -70 mV
    • +55 mV
    • +15 mV
    • -15 mV

  20. Where are the cell bodies of sensory neurones located?

    • Brain cortex
    • Dorsal root ganglia
    • Spinal grey matter
    • Ventral root ganglia

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