1.1 Describe the structure of the central nervous system, sensory, connector and motor neurons.

Student Name 

Diploma Title 

Subject Group:  

Unit title: 

The Nervous system

Unit Code: 

WNI082

Unit Status  

Graded

Credit Value

3

Assessor Name: 

Assignment Number (if applicable)

Assignment Title

Date set:  

28th April 2026

Submission Date and Time:

12th May 2026

Draft permitted (Y/N)/deadline  

Method of Submission

Turn it in

Date Submitted: 

Approved Late Submission Date

I confirm that the submitted assignment is my own work (if submitted as a group project, those sections relating to my contribution are clearly identified and represent my own work). Where appropriate, I have acknowledged / referenced all public sources of information, including AI-generated information, in accordance with the requirements of accepted academic conventions (as identified within the Centre policy on academic referencing)

Signature of student:

Date of submission:

Learning Outcome 

Assessment criteria applied to this assignment* 

1. Understand the structure and function of the nervous system. 

1.1 Describe the structure of the central nervous system, sensory, connector and motor neurons. 

1.2 Explain the role of sensory and motor neurones in a reflex arc.

1.3 Explain the mechanism of transmission of an impulse along a neurone.  

1.4 Measure reaction times and evaluate the results. 

1.5 Explain the effects of one of the following on the transmission of nerve impulses: caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines or cocaine.      

2. Understand the autonomic nervous system.

2.1 Compare voluntary and reflex actions and explain the role of the autonomic nervous system.                    

3. Understand the effects a disorder can have on the nervous system.

3.1 Explain the effect of a disorder of the nervous system.             

Grading Standard 

To achieve a Merit:

The student’s work or performance

To achieve a Distinction:

The student’s work or performance

Grading standard 1

Knowledge and Understanding

a. generally demonstrates the ability to apply knowledge appropriately in a given context showing breadth OR depth of knowledge in responding to the demands of the unit,

with

b. a very good understanding and use of:

• facts
• principles

a. consistently demonstrates the ability to apply knowledge appropriately in a given context showing breadth OR depth of knowledge in responding to the demands of the unit,

with

b. an excellent understanding and use of:

• facts
• principles

Grading standard 2 

Subject Specific Skills

a. generally demonstrates an ability in selecting and using skills as required by the unit,

with

b. very good levels of:

• accuracy
• interpretation
• insight

a. consistently demonstrates an ability in selecting and using skills as

required by the unit,

with

b. excellent levels of:

• accuracy
• interpretation
• insight

Grading Standard 3 

Transferable Skills

a. demonstrates very good communication and/or presentation

skills evidenced by the use and/or selection of:

• format
• grammar
• imagery

b. demonstrates autonomy and/or independence evidenced by a very good ability to:

• plan, organise and complete work
• conduct independent research

c. generally adheres to academic conventions in use of specialist language and format in responding to the instructions set out in the assignment brief

  a. demonstrates excellent communication and/or presentation

skills evidenced by the use and/or selection of:

• format
• grammar
• imagery

b. demonstrates autonomy and/or independence evidenced by an

excellent ability to:

• plan, organise and complete work
• conduct independent research

c. consistently adheres to academic conventions in use of specialist language and format in responding to the instructions set out in the assignment brief

Assignment Task Description (mapped to assessment criteria)

Assessment     criteria

Write a practical report on investigating nerve impulse transmissions through reaction times. The report should have the following sections: Title, introduction, results, discussion, and conclusion. 

Introduction

You need to demonstrate your background understanding of the nervous system. You must introduce the following concepts:

• A description of the structure of the central nervous system and sensory, connector and motor neurones, to include the Brain, Spinal Cord, Neurons (dendrites, axon, axon hillock, cell body, myelin sheath, node of Ranvier, and synapses)

• An explanation for the role of the sensory and motor neurones in reflex arc.

• An explanation for the mechanisms of transmission of an impulse along a neurone, to include the following events:

  • Resting potential

  • Graded potential

  • Depolarisation

  • Repolarisation

  • Hyperpolarisation

• A comparison of voluntary and reflex actions

• An explanation for the role of the autonomic nervous system to include sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Methodology

Describe how you will conduct the experiment to measure reaction times

Results

Describe the data you obtained from the experiment. Graphs and tables must be used here.

Discussion

The discussion of your results is to include:

a) An explanation of how one of the following substances can impact the transmission of nerve impulses and how the results of the reaction time tests could have been impacted if participants had been exposed to differing levels of:

• Caffeine
• Nicotine
• Amphetamines
• Cocaine.

Reference should be made to relevant transmitters that are released and the physiological effects.

b) An explanation of how one of the following disorders can impact the nervous system, including neurones, impulses, synaptic transmissions or neurotransmitters,

• Alzheimer’s
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease,
• Meningitis
• Brain tumours.

Conclusion

This should be a short summary of the report.

The introduction and discussion should be referenced consistently.

1.1

1.2 

1.3

2.1

2.1

1.4

1.4

1.5

3.1