# A student feels very nervous before an important exam. Their body releases a hormone into the bloodstream. Explain how hormonal coordination differs from nervous coordination in controlling the body's response to this situation.

> Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0) — 4.5 Hormonal coordination · Explain · 5 marks

> Hormones are chemical messengers released by glands into the bloodstream. The nervous system uses electrical impulses to send signals rapidly around the body.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The hormone is released by a gland (e.g. adrenal gland) into the bloodstream
2. Hormonal coordination is slower than nervous coordination
3. Hormonal responses last longer / have a longer-lasting effect than nervous responses
4. Nervous coordination uses electrical impulses (along neurones) whereas hormonal coordination uses chemical messengers (in the blood)
5. Nervous responses are localised / affect a specific effector, whereas hormonal responses affect target organs throughout the body / have a more widespread effect

## Key terms

- [hormone](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/hormone)
- [hormonal coordination](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/hormonal-coordination)
- [nervous coordination](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/nervous-coordination)
- [bloodstream](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/bloodstream)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-feels-very-nervous-before-25bf9c6b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.