1. Biological Response to Stress Exam Questions and Mark Schemes

2. Exam Question 1 You are just about to cross the road when a car comes speeding round the corner and narrowly misses you. Afterwards, standing safely on the pavement, you notice that your mouth is very dry, your breathing is very fast and your heart is thumping. Using your knowledge of the body’s response to stress, explain why you are likely to have experienced these changes. [4 marks]

3. Exam Question 2 Outline the pituitary-adrenal system. [3 marks]

4. Exam Question 3 Outline the sympathomedullary pathway. [3 marks]

5. Mark Scheme 1 The stem refers to the body responding to a short-term stressor, the release of adrenaline is responsible for increased heart rate and faster breathing and the dry mouth is linked to the digestive system “shutting down”. Students can refer to the pituitary adrenal system and/or the sympathomedullary pathway. They can also refer to the fight-or-flight response. For full marks there must be explicit engagement with the stem.

6. Mark Scheme 2 Main features of pituitary-adrenal system are that the hypothalamus communicates with the pituitary gland causing it to release ACTH. This hormone is then detected in the bloodstream by the adrenal cortex, which then releases corticosteroids such as cortisol and corticosterone. The corticosteroids have a range of effects such as causing the liver to release glucose. An accurate diagram could also receive credit. 1 mark for a brief outline and 3 marks for a correct and coherent outline of the system. Reference to acute or chronic stress is not relevant.

7. Mark Scheme 3 Main features of the Sympathomedullary pathway are that the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system, which then stimulates the adrenal medulla to release the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream. This gets the body ready for fight-or- flight, eg increase blood pressure and heart rate. An accurate diagram could also receive credit. 1 mark for a brief outline and 3 marks for a correct and coherent outline of the system. Candidates who simply mention “the adrenal gland” without specifying whether it is the cortex or medulla do not gain credit for that part of their answer. Reference to acute or chronic stress is not relevant.