← Human Biology syllabus

ScotlandHuman Biology

Area 3: Neurobiology and Immunology

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How are new vaccines and drugs tested to be sure they are safe and effective?

The design of clinical trials of vaccines and drugs, including randomisation, the use of placebo and control groups, double-blind protocols, the importance of a large enough sample size for statistical significance, and the phases of testing.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on clinical trials of vaccines and drugs, covering randomisation, placebo and control groups, double-blind protocols, the need for a large enough sample for statistical significance, and the phases of clinical testing before a treatment is approved.
9 min answer →

How is the nervous system organised, and how do neural pathways process information?

The organisation of the nervous system into the central and peripheral nervous systems, the somatic and autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) divisions, and the converging, diverging and reverberating neural pathways.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on the divisions of the nervous system, covering the central and peripheral nervous systems, the somatic and autonomic divisions, the antagonistic sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, and converging, diverging and reverberating neural pathways.
10 min answer →

How do vaccines protect individuals and populations from disease?

Active and passive immunisation, the use of antigens and adjuvants in vaccines, the establishment of herd immunity and the herd immunity threshold, and the difficulties posed by antigenic variation and by vaccine uptake.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on immunisation, covering active and passive immunity, the antigens and adjuvants used in vaccines, the establishment of herd immunity and the herd immunity threshold, and the challenges of antigenic variation and of achieving high vaccine uptake.
10 min answer →

How is information stored as memory, and how does it move from short-term to long-term memory?

The memory system, including sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory, the limited capacity and span of short-term memory, the transfer of information by encoding (rehearsal, organisation and elaboration), and retrieval using contextual and emotional cues.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on memory, covering sensory memory, short-term memory and its limited capacity and span, the role of rehearsal in retaining information, the transfer to long-term memory by encoding through organisation and elaboration, and retrieval using contextual and emotional cues.
10 min answer →

How does the body defend itself against pathogens without targeting a specific one?

The non-specific (innate) defences of the body, including physical and chemical barriers, the inflammatory response (the release of histamine, vasodilation and increased capillary permeability), and the action of phagocytes by phagocytosis.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on the non-specific body defences, covering the physical and chemical barriers to pathogens, the inflammatory response including histamine, vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, the action of phagocytes by phagocytosis, and the release of cytokines.
10 min answer →

How does the immune system target a specific pathogen and remember it?

The specific immune response by lymphocytes, including antigens, the action of B lymphocytes (antibody production) and T lymphocytes (destroying infected cells), clonal selection, immunological memory, allergy and autoimmune disease.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on specific cellular defences, covering antigens, the roles of B and T lymphocytes, antibody production, the destruction of infected cells, clonal selection, immunological memory and the secondary response, allergy and autoimmune disease.
11 min answer →

How do neurons communicate at synapses, and how do neurotransmitters and drugs affect this?

The cells of the nervous system (neurons and glial cells), synaptic transmission by neurotransmitters, the removal of neurotransmitters, summation, the roles of endorphins and dopamine, and how recreational and therapeutic drugs affect neurotransmission (agonists, antagonists and effects on reuptake).
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on the cells of the nervous system and neurotransmitters, covering neurons and glial cells, synaptic transmission and the removal of neurotransmitters, summation, the roles of endorphins and dopamine, and how agonist, antagonist and reuptake-affecting drugs change neurotransmission.
11 min answer →

How is the cerebral cortex organised, and how do its areas process information?

The structure and functions of the cerebral cortex, the localisation of sensory, motor and association areas, the specialisation of the two cerebral hemispheres, and the transfer of information between them by the corpus callosum.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on the cerebral cortex, covering the sensory, motor and association areas, the localisation of function, the specialisation of the left and right cerebral hemispheres, and the transfer of information between them by the corpus callosum.
9 min answer →