Cambridge Pre-U Syllabus - Cambridge International Examinations

30
3.3 Nerves, muscles and behaviour
Content
The nervous system
Nerves and synapses
The brain
Muscles
Innate and learned behaviour
Social behaviour in primates
Cambridge Pre-U Draft
Learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
a) describe the organisation of the central and peripheral nervous systems to include transverse section of
the spinal cord
b) describe the structure and function of sensory and motor neurones
c) describe the production of the resting potential and the generation and transmission of action potentials
in myelinated and unmyelinated neurones
d) discuss the factors affecting the speed of impulse transmission in neurones (limited to neurone
diameter, body temperature and myelination)
e) describe and explain transmission at chemical synapses including antagonistic excitatory and inhibitory
neurotransmitters as exemplified by acetylcholine, noradrenaline and GABA
f) outline the gross anatomy and functions of the brain (limited to the cerebrum (cerebral hemispheres),
thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain, hind brain (to include the medulla oblongata, pons varolii and
cerebellum) the pituitary body, and cerebro-spinal fluid
g) explain dementia and research into its possible causes, symptoms and treatments including stem cells
h) describe the structure and functioning of the neuromuscular junction and propagation of the action
potential across muscle cells
i) describe the histology and ultrastructure of striated muscle and relate this to its contraction
j) describe and explain the sliding filament theory of muscle contraction to include the roles of calcium
ions, ATP, actin, myosin, troponin and tropomyosin
k) explain the advantages of innate and learned behaviours to organisms
l) describe examples of genetically determined innate behaviours including taxes, kineses, withdrawal
reflexes and instinctive behaviours (limited to foraging in Drosophila)
m) describe examples of learned behaviours widespread in the animal kingdom including habituation,
imprinting, classical conditioning and operant conditioning
n) describe examples of social behaviour in primates and discuss the advantages of such behaviour
Practical learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
i) explain the relationship between structure and function of spinal cord, brain (cerebral hemispheres and
cerebellum only), nerves, myelinated neurones, synapses, neuromuscular junctions and striated muscle
using histological sections and electronmicrographs
ii) investigate innate behaviour using choice chambers and suitable motile invertebrates
iii) use simple T mazes to investigate operant conditioning using suitable motile invertebrates