14.1

Coordination and response

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)  · Unit 14: Coordination and response  · 10 flashcards

Coordination and response is topic 14.1 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 14 — Coordination and response , alongside Sense organs, Hormones and Homeostasis.  In one line: The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain processes information, while the spinal cord relays messages between the brain and the peripheral nervous system.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical).

The deck below contains 10 flashcards — 4 definitions, 4 key concepts, 1 process card and 1 identification card — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the 4 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

What two main parts make up the mammalian central nervous system (CNS)

The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain processes information, while the spinal cord relays messages between the brain and the peripheral nervous system.

Example: if you touch a hot stove, sensory neurons send a signal up the spinal cord to the brain, and the brain sends a response signal back down the spinal cord to motor neurons, causing you to quickly pull your hand away.

What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says

Official 2026-2028 spec

These are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.

  1. State State that electrical impulses travel along neurones
  2. Describe Describe the mammalian nervous system in terms of: (a) the central nervous system (CNS) consisting of the brain and the spinal cord (b) the peripheral nervous system (PNS) consisting of the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord
  3. Describe Describe the role of the nervous system as coordination and regulation of body functions
  4. Identify Identify in diagrams and images sensory, relay and motor neurones
  5. Describe Describe a simple reflex arc in terms of: receptor, sensory neurone, relay neurone, motor neurone and effector
  6. Describe Describe a reflex action as a means of automatically and rapidly integrating and coordinating stimuli with the responses of effectors (muscles and glands)
  7. Describe Describe a synapse as a junction between two neurones
  8. Describe Describe the structure of a synapse, including the presence of vesicles containing neurotransmitter molecules, the synaptic gap and receptor proteins Supplement
  9. Describe Describe the events at a synapse as: (a) an impulse stimulates the release of neurotransmitter molecules from vesicles into the synaptic gap (b) the neurotransmitter molecules diffuse across the gap (c) neurotransmitter molecules bind with receptor proteins on the next neurone (d) an impulse is then stimulated in the next neurone Supplement
  10. State State that synapses ensure that impulses travel in one direction only Supplement
Key Concept Flip

What is the main function of the nervous system?

Answer Flip

The nervous system coordinates and regulates body functions by detecting stimuli and rapidly transmitting signals to effectors.

Example: detecting a change in temperature and signaling muscles to shiver to generate heat.
Definition Flip

What two main parts make up the mammalian central nervous system (CNS)?

Answer Flip

The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain processes information, while the spinal cord relays messages between the brain and the peripheral nervous system.

Example: if you touch a hot stove, sensory neurons send a signal up the spinal cord to the brain, and the brain sends a response signal back down the spinal cord to motor neurons, causing you to quickly pull your hand away.
Key Concept Flip

What are the three types of neurones and their functions?

Answer Flip

The three types of neurones are sensory, relay (or interneurone), and motor neurones. Sensory neurones carry impulses from receptors to the CNS, such as detecting heat from a fire. Motor neurones carry impulses from the CNS to effectors, like a muscle contracting to move your hand away.

Definition Flip

What is a reflex arc?

Answer Flip

A reflex arc is the nerve pathway involved in a reflex action. It consists of a receptor, sensory neurone, relay neurone (in the spinal cord), motor neurone, and effector.

Example: the withdrawal reflex from a hot surface.
Definition Flip

What is the role of the effector in a reflex arc?

Answer Flip

The effector is the muscle or gland that carries out the response.

Example: a muscle contracting to move a limb away from a painful stimulus or a gland secreting a hormone.
Definition Flip

What is a synapse?

Answer Flip

A synapse is a junction between two neurones where chemical signals transmit the impulse. It ensures one-way transmission of nerve signals.

Key Concept Flip

Describe the structure of a synapse.

Answer Flip

A synapse includes the presynaptic neurone containing vesicles of neurotransmitter, the synaptic gap (cleft), and the postsynaptic neurone with receptor proteins. This ensures signals only go one way.

Key Concept Flip

Describe the events that occur at a synapse when an impulse arrives.

Answer Flip

The impulse causes neurotransmitter release from vesicles into the synaptic gap. The neurotransmitter diffuses across the gap, binds to receptor proteins on the next neurone, and triggers a new impulse.

Key Concept Flip

What is the function of neurotransmitter molecules at a synapse?

Answer Flip

Neurotransmitter molecules transmit the nerve impulse across the synaptic gap from one neurone to the next. Examples include acetylcholine, which stimulates muscle contraction.

Key Concept Flip

Why do synapses ensure impulses travel in only one direction?

Answer Flip

Synapses ensure one-way transmission because neurotransmitter vesicles are only present on the presynaptic neurone and receptors are only present on the postsynaptic neurone.

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13.1 Excretion in humans 14.2 Sense organs

Key Questions: Coordination and response

What two main parts make up the mammalian central nervous system (CNS)?

The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain processes information, while the spinal cord relays messages between the brain and the peripheral nervous system.

Example: if you touch a hot stove, sensory neurons send a signal up the spinal cord to the brain, and the brain sends a response signal back down the spinal cord to motor neurons, causing you to quickly pull your hand away.
What is a reflex arc?

A reflex arc is the nerve pathway involved in a reflex action. It consists of a receptor, sensory neurone, relay neurone (in the spinal cord), motor neurone, and effector.

Example: the withdrawal reflex from a hot surface.
What is the role of the effector in a reflex arc?

The effector is the muscle or gland that carries out the response.

Example: a muscle contracting to move a limb away from a painful stimulus or a gland secreting a hormone.
What is a synapse?

A synapse is a junction between two neurones where chemical signals transmit the impulse. It ensures one-way transmission of nerve signals.

More topics in Unit 14 — Coordination and response

Coordination and response sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

14.2 Sense organs

12 flashcards
14.3 Hormones

10 flashcards
14.4 Homeostasis

11 flashcards
14.5 Tropic responses

10 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

nervous system neurone nerve brain spinal cord central nervous system CNS sensory neurone relay neurone motor neurone synapse reflex arc reflex action stimulus response receptor effector impulse neurotransmitter

Key terms covered in this Coordination and response deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

What two main parts make up the mammalian central nervous system (CNS)
Reflex arc
The role of the effector in a reflex arc
Synapse

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