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Question 6

From Biology SL Paper 3 (November 2024, TZ2)

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  1. The diagram shows the brain mass and number of neurons in two rodents (agouti and capybara) and two primates (owl and capuchin monkeys).
The diagram presents four animals: Agouti, Capybara, Owl monkey, and Capuchin monkey. For each animal, there is an illustration of the animal itself and a separate illustration of its brain. Alongside each brain, the brain mass in grams and the number of neurons in millions are provided. The animals are categorized into 'Rodents' (Agouti and Capybara) and 'Primates' (Owl monkey and Capuchin monkey).
The diagram presents four animals: Agouti, Capybara, Owl monkey, and Capuchin monkey. For each animal, there is an illustration of the animal itself and a separate illustration of its brain. Alongside each brain, the brain mass in grams and the number of neurons in millions are provided. The animals are categorized into 'Rodents' (Agouti and Capybara) and 'Primates' (Owl monkey and Capuchin monkey).

(a) Discuss whether the mass of the brain is proportional to the number of neurons. [2]

(b) Outline how the cerebral cortex is adapted to allow for large numbers of neurons. [2]

(c) State a function of
(i) Broca’s area; [1]

(ii) the medulla oblongata. [1]

Textbook topics in this question

Review the exact course sections assessed by each question part.

Mixed-topic question
6(a)7.2 Nervous Systems and Neuron StructureBrain organization and neuron density · legacy topic
6(b)7.2 Nervous Systems and Neuron StructureCerebral cortex structure · legacy topic
6(c)(i)Brain regions and their functions · legacy topic
6(c)(ii)Brain regions and their functions · legacy topic