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Leaving Cert Biology: Nervous system

How often Nervous system comes up on the Biology papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 7 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

OL Asked on 7 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

June 2027 is the first exam on the new Biology course. These come from the 2016–2026 papers, so read them as a guide.

Nervous system, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Nervous system.

(a)Part of a neuron that carries impulses away from the cell body?
  1. Dendrite
  2. Axon
  3. Synapse
(b)Gap between two neurons?
  1. Axon terminal
  2. Node
  3. Synapse
(c)Neuron that carries impulses to an effector?
  1. Motor neuron
  2. Interneuron
  3. Sensory neuron
Show the answers

(a) Axon

(b) Synapse

(c) Motor neuron

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Nervous system.

Higher Level

Asked on 7 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q7, Q17
2025Q14
2024Not asked
2023Q17
2022Q16
2021Q6, Q17
2019Q14
2018Q11
2017Not asked
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Nervous system questions

Nervous system, 2 marks

Example of a neurotransmitter?

  1. Insulin
  2. Thyroxine
  3. Acetylcholine
Show the answer

Acetylcholine

Released from vesicles at the end of one neuron, it diffuses across the synapse and triggers an impulse in the next. Enzymes then break it down.

Nervous system, 2 marks

Neurotransmitter linked to reward, motivation and pleasure?

  1. Thyroxine
  2. Dopamine
  3. Insulin
Show the answer

Dopamine

Dopamine affects mood and behaviour. Some non-medical drugs raise dopamine sharply, which is linked to addiction.

Nervous system, 2 marks

Natural painkilling neurotransmitters released during exercise?

  1. Endorphins
  2. Insulin
  3. Antibodies
Show the answer

Endorphins

Endorphins reduce pain and lift mood, e.g. after a run. Exercise, diet and drug use all affect endorphin and dopamine levels.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 7 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Not asked
2025Q3, Q6
2024Not asked
2023Q7
2022Q6, Q17
2021Q3, Q17
2019Q15
2018Not asked
2017Q13
2016Q15

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Nervous system questions

Nervous system, 2 marks

Which two organs make up the central nervous system?

  1. The brain and the nerves
  2. The spinal cord and the eyes
  3. The brain and the spinal cord
Show the answer

The brain and the spinal cord

Brain plus spinal cord is the central nervous system. All the nerves branching off them are the peripheral nervous system.

Nervous system, 2 marks

What is a nerve cell called?

  1. A neutron
  2. A neuron
  3. A nephron
Show the answer

A neuron

Neuron carries the electrical message. A nephron is a filtering unit in the kidney, and a neutron is not biology at all.

Nervous system, 2 marks

A fast, automatic response to a stimulus is called?

  1. A reflex action
  2. A voluntary action
  3. A tropism
Show the answer

A reflex action

A reflex protects you before you even think, such as pulling your hand off a hot pan. The message takes a short cut through the spinal cord.

Other Biology topics

All of Leaving Cert Biology