AQA GCSE Biology Paper
2 2026 | Questions,
Answers & Detailed
Rationales
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, What is a motor neurone? Neurones that carry information from the CNS to the effectors.
What is the nervous system? It is a system that allows you to react to your surroundings.
How do signals travel across a synapse? The chemical or neurotransmitter diffuses across the synapse and binds to a
complementary receptor on the neurone (postsynaptic). This causes an
electrical impulse to travel down the next neurone.
What is a synapse? A gap between two neurones.
What is the thermoregulatory centre of the brain? Near the hypothalamus, monitors the temperature of blood.
Describe the stages in a reflex arc. Stimulus->Receptor->sensory neurone->CNS (relay neurone) -> motor neurone
-> effector -> response
Name responses that reduce body temperature. Hairs lie flat, sweat and blood vessels get wider(vasodilation)
What happens during vasodilation? The blood vessels supplying the skin dilate (widen). This helps to transfer
energy to the environment.
Name responses that increase body temperature. Hairs stand up, no sweat, shivering and blood vessels
constrict(vasoconstriction)
What happens during vasoconstriction? The blood vessels supplying the skin constrict to close off the skins blood
supply.
What is the body's core temp? 37 degrees Celsius
2 2026 | Questions,
Answers & Detailed
Rationales
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, What is a motor neurone? Neurones that carry information from the CNS to the effectors.
What is the nervous system? It is a system that allows you to react to your surroundings.
How do signals travel across a synapse? The chemical or neurotransmitter diffuses across the synapse and binds to a
complementary receptor on the neurone (postsynaptic). This causes an
electrical impulse to travel down the next neurone.
What is a synapse? A gap between two neurones.
What is the thermoregulatory centre of the brain? Near the hypothalamus, monitors the temperature of blood.
Describe the stages in a reflex arc. Stimulus->Receptor->sensory neurone->CNS (relay neurone) -> motor neurone
-> effector -> response
Name responses that reduce body temperature. Hairs lie flat, sweat and blood vessels get wider(vasodilation)
What happens during vasodilation? The blood vessels supplying the skin dilate (widen). This helps to transfer
energy to the environment.
Name responses that increase body temperature. Hairs stand up, no sweat, shivering and blood vessels
constrict(vasoconstriction)
What happens during vasoconstriction? The blood vessels supplying the skin constrict to close off the skins blood
supply.
What is the body's core temp? 37 degrees Celsius
