AQA GCSE Biology

Reflex arc

AQA GCSE Biology revision on Reflex arc. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Biology 8461 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 25)

  1. Question 1

    Which structure in the reflex arc carries electrical impulses from the sensory neurone directly to the motor neurone?

    • A) The receptor cell
    • B) The relay neurone
    • C) The spinal cord
    • D) The effector cell
    Show answer

    Answer: The relay neurone

    In a reflex arc, the sensory neurone sends a signal to the central nervous system. The relay neurone, located in the spinal cord, then passes this signal to the motor neurone to initiate a response without involving the conscious brain.

  2. Question 2

    What is the primary biological advantage of a reflex arc bypassing the conscious brain?

    • A) It increases muscle size
    • B) It speeds up response
    • C) It improves memory storage
    • D) It saves energy usage
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    Answer: It speeds up response

    By avoiding the time taken for the brain to process information and make a conscious decision, the reflex arc allows for an almost instantaneous reaction. This is critical for survival in dangerous situations, such as pulling a hand away from a hot object.

  3. Question 3

    What is the specific name of the junction where an electrical impulse is transferred between two neurones via chemical neurotransmitters?

    Show answer

    Answer: synapse

    When an impulse reaches the end of a neurone, chemicals called neurotransmitters are released into the gap. These diffuse across the synapse and bind to receptors on the next neurone to trigger a new electrical impulse.

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