Lesson 5.1.5b

5.1.5b Nervous system, brain and reflexes Quiz: OCR Biology, Unit 5

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 5.1.5b, Nervous system, brain and reflexes: 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 organ alongside the brain forms the human central nervous system?

    • Spinal cord
    • Cranial nerve
    • Sympathetic ganglion
    • Peripheral nerve

  2. Which division of the nervous system consists of all neurones outside the central nervous system?

    • Sympathetic nervous system
    • Somatic nervous system
    • Peripheral nervous system
    • Autonomic nervous system

  3. Which division of the nervous system controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscle?

    • Autonomic nervous system
    • Sympathetic system only
    • Somatic nervous system
    • Parasympathetic system only

  4. Which division of the peripheral nervous system controls involuntary functions such as heart rate?

    • Central nervous system
    • Voluntary nervous system
    • Somatic nervous system
    • Autonomic nervous system

  5. Which part of the brain coordinates balance and fine movement?

    • Cerebrum
    • Medulla oblongata
    • Cerebellum
    • Hypothalamus

  6. Which part of the brain is responsible for conscious thought, memory and voluntary movement?

    • Pituitary gland
    • Cerebrum
    • Medulla oblongata
    • Cerebellum

  7. Which region of the brain controls involuntary functions such as heart rate and ventilation?

    • Cerebellum
    • Medulla oblongata
    • Hypothalamus
    • Cerebrum

  8. Which brain structure acts as the main control centre for thermoregulation and osmoregulation?

    • Medulla oblongata
    • Hypothalamus
    • Pituitary gland
    • Cerebellum

  9. The pituitary gland is controlled by which part of the brain?

    • The cerebrum
    • The medulla oblongata
    • The hypothalamus
    • The cerebellum

  10. Which term describes an involuntary, rapid response to a stimulus without conscious thought?

    • Reflex action
    • Voluntary movement
    • Tropism
    • Conditioned response

  11. What type of reflex arc is shown by the knee-jerk reflex?

    • Spinal monosynaptic
    • Spinal polysynaptic
    • Cranial monosynaptic
    • Cranial polysynaptic

  12. What is the main survival advantage of involuntary reflex actions?

    • Prevents tissue damage
    • Increases muscle strength
    • Conserves energy
    • Allows conscious learning

  13. Which structure coordinates a rapid withdrawal reflex before conscious awareness occurs?

    • Medulla oblongata
    • Cerebral cortex
    • Hypothalamus
    • Spinal cord

  14. What is the main consequence of spinal cord transection at hip level?

    • Arm paralysis
    • Brain damage
    • Leg paralysis
    • Total paralysis

  15. A person loses balance and coordination but can still think clearly. Which part of the brain is most likely damaged?

    • Hypothalamus
    • Cerebellum
    • Medulla oblongata
    • Cerebrum

  16. A person has lost the ability to control body temperature. Which part of the brain is most likely affected?

    • Hypothalamus
    • Cerebellum
    • Pituitary gland only
    • Cerebrum only

  17. Which response is directly stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system?

    • Decreased heart rate
    • Increased heart rate
    • Increased digestion
    • Pupil constriction

  18. Which muscle acts as the effector in the knee-jerk reflex?

    • Biceps brachii
    • Quadriceps
    • Hamstring
    • Gastrocnemius

  19. What does an absent knee-jerk reflex typically indicate to a clinician?

    • High blood pressure
    • Muscle hypertrophy
    • Nerve damage
    • Brain injury

  20. What happens to a reflex response if its sensory neurone is damaged?

    • It is delayed
    • It remains normal
    • It is absent
    • It is exaggerated

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