NESA Biology Technologies and Disorders
4 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers · Avg. score: 39.5%
Explain how problems with the structure and function of the eye can cause a named visual disorder.
Reveal Answer
The lens of the eye refracts light from the environment on the retina. Cataracts are a visual disorder caused by the clouding of the lens which is normally clear. Clouding stops light passing through the lens leading to blurry vision.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
| 3 |
| 2 |
Provides some relevant information | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Describe ONE technology that is used to assist with the effects of a named visual disorder.
Reveal Answer
A technology that assists with the effects of a visual disorder is laser surgery. One type of laser surgery is LASIK. It is used to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism which are caused by refraction errors in the eye which can be caused by problems with the shape of the cornea. In LASIK surgery a thin flap is opened on the surface of the cornea a laser then reshapes the cornea to provide the correct refraction and the flap is laid back into place.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Provides characteristics and features of a technology that is used to assist with the effects of a visual disorder | 3 |
Outlines a technology that assists with the effects of a visual disorder | 2 |
Provides some relevant information | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Cochlear implants assist with hearing. The following are five steps involved in the process.
- The sound signal is turned into electrical impulses.
- The implant sends electrical impulses to the electrodes in the cochlea.
- Sounds are picked up by the microphone.
- The auditory nerve picks up and sends electrical impulses to the brain.
- The electrical impulses are transmitted across the skin to the implant.
Which is the correct order for this process?
1, 4, 3, 2, 5
1, 3, 2, 4, 5
3, 1, 5, 2, 4
3, 1, 2, 5, 4
Reveal Answer
1, 4, 3, 2, 5
This sequence is incorrect because the process must begin with the microphone picking up sounds (step 3) before they can be converted into electrical impulses.
1, 3, 2, 4, 5
This sequence is incorrect because it starts with converting signals to impulses (step 1) rather than first picking up the sound with the microphone (step 3).
3, 1, 5, 2, 4
This is the correct sequence: the microphone picks up sound (3), converts it to electrical impulses (1), transmits it across the skin to the implant (5), which sends it to the cochlea (2), and finally the auditory nerve sends it to the brain (4).
3, 1, 2, 5, 4
This sequence is incorrect because the electrical impulses must be transmitted across the skin to the implant (step 5) before the implant can send them to the electrodes in the cochlea (step 2).
A cochlear implant is a device that is used to assist with hearing loss.
What does the cochlear implant electrode array stimulate?
Hairs
Ossicles
Oval window
Auditory nerve
Reveal Answer
Hairs
Incorrect. Cochlear implants are typically used when the sensory hair cells in the cochlea are damaged or missing, so the device is designed to bypass them entirely rather than stimulate them.
Ossicles
Incorrect. The ossicles are the small bones in the middle ear that conduct mechanical sound waves. Cochlear implants bypass the middle ear completely and do not stimulate these bones.
Oval window
Incorrect. The oval window is a membrane that transmits mechanical vibrations from the middle ear into the cochlea. The implant's electrode array is inserted past this structure, not to stimulate it.
Auditory nerve
Correct. The electrode array of a cochlear implant bypasses damaged structures in the inner ear and directly delivers electrical signals to the auditory nerve, which then sends these impulses to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
Two unrelated patients; X and Y, visited the same neurosurgeon. The patients had very similar names, and both had a form of brain damage. The neurosurgeon asked Patient X to complete a point-to-point movement test, where the index finger touches the nose and then touches the outstretched finger of the neurosurgeon. He was also asked to walk across the room while the neurosurgeon observed his stability. Patient X found this very strange, as these tests were not what he normally experienced. He has a benign growth below the hypothalamus, reducing levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. When Patient X questioned this, the neurosurgeon realised he had mixed up the two patients and mistakenly thought he was seeing Patient Y.
Using the information above, identify the part of the brain damaged in both patients (X and Y), describe the role of these parts in normal body functioning and describe the effects damage to these structures would have on both patients.
Reveal Answer
An example response:
For patient X, the affected part is the anterior pituitary. Its role is to produce hormones, release hormones, and maintain homeostasis. The possible effects of damage include hypothyroidism, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
For patient Y, the affected part is the cerebellum, which coordinates voluntary motor movement and maintains balance. Possible effects of damage include weak muscles, slurred, speech, and abnormal eye movements.
Patient X
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies the affected part as the Anterior Pituitary | 1 |
1 mark for each correct point (any 2 of):
| 2 |
1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of):
| 3 |
Patient Y
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies the affected part as the Cerebellum | 1 |
1 mark for each correct point (any 2 of):
| 2 |
1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of):
| 3 |
Describe how the hypothalamus and pituitary work together to achieve their main function.
Reveal Answer
An example response:
Hormones are produced in the hypothalamus, and are transported down the axons. Hormones are stored in posterior lobe and released via nervous stimulation.
Hormones are produced in the anterior lobe Inhibiting and releasing factors secreted by hypothalamus determine the release of hormones. Blood vessels connect hypothalamus with the anterior lobe, and released via hormonal stimulation.
Posterior pituitary
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that hormones are produced (in cell bodies located) in the hypothalamus or not produced by the pituitary | 1 |
Describes that hormones are transported down the axons or neurosecretory cells | 1 |
States that hormones are stored in the posterior lobe | 1 |
Identifies that they are released via nervous stimulation | 1 |
Anterior pituitary
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that hormones are produced in the anterior lobe | 1 |
Explains that inhibiting and releasing factors secreted by the hypothalamus determine the release of hormones | 1 |
Describes that blood vessels (hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system) connect the hypothalamus with the anterior lobe or that it travels in the blood | 1 |
Identifies that they are released via chemical or hormonal stimulation | 1 |