Hormones: Maintaining Blood Homeostasis (AQA GCSE Biology)

Exam Questions

3 hours15 questions
1a1 mark

Which keyword matches the following definition?

The regulation of the internal conditions of an organism to maintain optimum conditions for function, in response to internal and external changes.

  • Temperature control

  • Homeostasis

  • Body regulation

  • Homeoregulation

1b1 mark

Which organ system releases hormones?

1c1 mark

Which system is predominantly involved in transporting hormones around the body?

1d3 marks

Table 1 below, lists a number of different responses to certain situations.

Table 1

Response

Example of homeostasis?

1. Shivering after swimming in the cold sea

 

2. Pulling your hand away after touching a hot pan

 

3. Retaining body water on a hot day

 

4. Hitting a tennis ball with a racket

 

5. Pupils dilating when entering a dark room

 

6. Secretion of insulin after eating a meal 

 

Complete the table by placing a tick (✔) in the box for each condition, that is an example of homeostasis.

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2a3 marks

Table 2 below, lists statements about either nerves or hormones.

Table 2

Statement

Nerves?

Hormones?

Very fast action

 

 

Act for a long time

 

 

Act in a general way

 

 

Act on a very precise area

 

 

Act for a short time

 

 

Slower acting

 

 

Complete the table by placing a tick (✔) for each statement, in the correct box that corresponds to either nerves or hormones.

2b1 mark

Figure 1 shows the male endocrine system.

Figure 1

human-1

Structure X is often referred to as 'the master gland'.

Name structure X.

2c1 mark

Why is structure X (in Figure 1) sometimes called the 'master gland'?

  • It releases hormones that control the function of other endocrine glands.

  • It controls growth and development in humans.

  • It releases more than one hormone.

  • It is the largest endocrine gland.

2d1 mark

Blood glucose concentration is monitored and controlled by structure Y as shown in Figure 1.

Name structure Y.

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3a1 mark

Which one of the following statements accurately describes the function of insulin? 

  • Stimulation of cell respiration.

  • Monitors the blood glucose concentration.

  • Causes glucose to be moved from the blood into the cells.

  • It increase the level of glucose in the blood.

3b3 marks

After eating a large meal, the control of glucose concentration in the blood involves the following events, as set out in Table 3.

Table 3

Event

Description

A

Insulin causes liver, muscle and other cells to take up glucose

B

Blood glucose concentration falls to normal levels

C

Blood glucose concentration rises

D

Pancreas releases insulin

E

Glucose is absorbed from the small intestine after the digestion of food

Complete the table by reordering events A - E into chronological order.  

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

 

 

 

 

 

3c2 marks

Higher Tier Only

If the blood concentration of glucose is too low, the pancreas releases the hormone glucagon.

What is the function of glucagon?

3d3 marks

Describe what happens to the regulation of blood glucose concentration in a person with Type I diabetes. Use the information in Table 3 to help you.

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4a1 mark

How can Type II diabetes be caused?

  • The cells of the pancreas stop producing insulin.

  • Type II diabetes is a communicable disease.

  • Low blood sugar levels.

  • Being overweight and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

4b3 marks

Higher Tier Only

Figure 2 represents a negative feedback cycle of how blood glucose is controlled in the human body, some statements are missing.

Figure 2

chart-2

Complete the negative feedback cycle in Figure 2 Choose answers from the following boxes.

4c1 mark

Figure 3 shows some organs of the human body.

Figure 3

human-3

Where is urea filtered out from the blood?

  • X

  • Y

  • Z

  • X & Z

4d1 mark

Higher Tier Only

One of the many functions of Part Y on Figure 3 is the process of deamination.

Name part Y

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5a2 marks

The human body can control the loss of water via the production of urine in the kidneys.  

Name two other mechanisms of water loss

5b3 marks

Proteins and amino acids can't be stored in the body and need to be converted to other substances, some of which need to be removed from the body.

This process involves the following events, as set out in Table 4.

Table 4

Event

Description

A

Ammonia is toxic so is converted to urea in the liver

B

Urea is filtered out of the blood and excreted in urine

C

Excess amino acids are converted into fats and carbohydrates in the liver

D

Urea is transported to the kidneys

E

Ammonia is produced as a waste product

Complete the table by reordering events A - E into chronological order.  

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

 

 

 

 

 

5c3 marks

Higher Tier Only

Complete the sentences.

Choose answers from the box.

less ADH         pituitary gland        less          glucose         urine         

thyroid gland           more         more ADH

The concentration of  __________ is controlled by a hormone called anti-diuretic hormone made in the __________ .

If the blood water content is too high,  __________ is released, so  __________ water is reabsorbed in the kidney.

If the blood water content is too low,   __________ is released, so  __________ water is reabsorbed in the kidney.

5d2 marks

Suggest two possible treatments for somebody with kidney failure.

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1a3 marks

Higher Tier Only

Both the liver and pancreas are involved in maintaining blood glucose concentration within a narrow range.

The blood glucose concentration of an athlete was monitored over the course of a day. One hour after the athlete has eaten a meal, their blood glucose concentration rises.

Explain why it is important that negative feedback brings a raised blood glucose concentration back down.

1b4 marks

Figure 1 shows some of the blood vessels associated with the liver.

liver-1b

The two veins associated with the liver are:

  • The portal vein, delivering blood from the small intestine to the liver

  • The hepatic vein, which connects the liver to the vena cava.

The concentration of glucose can be measured from samples of blood taken from the hepatic vein and the portal vein.

Suggest and explain how the concentration of glucose in these two blood vessels would differ 1 hour after a meal.

1c3 marks

Higher Tier Only

Three hours after having eaten, the athlete runs on a treadmill for one hour.

The athlete’s blood glucose concentration decreases as he runs.

Describe how the body responds when the blood concentration begins to decrease.

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2a4 marks

Individuals with diabetes cannot control their blood glucose levels. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

Compare and contrast the causes of, and treatments for, each type of diabetes.

2b1 mark

A blood test can be used to see how the body responds to glucose. The blood glucose concentration can be measured before and after drinking a glucose drink.

It is important that patients do not eat or drink anything other than water before the blood test.

Suggest why.

2c2 marks

Figure 1 shows the results of a blood glucose tolerance test for two people (A and B).

Figure 1

blood-glucose-2c

Which patient has diabetes?

Justify your answer.

2d3 marks

Look at the data in Table 1.

Table 1

Population of USA in 2017

3.21 × 108

Number of people diagnosed with diabetes

2.93 × 107

Estimated number of people with undiagnosed diabetes

9.2 × 106

Calculate the percentage (%) of the population of the USA estimated to have diabetes.

You should include both diagnosed and undiagnosed people in your calculation.

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

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3a3 marks

Many functions of the human body are controlled by chemicals called hormones.

What is a hormone?

3b6 marks

The kidney is responsible for maintaining the water balance of the body.

Describe how hormones and kidneys regulate the water balance of the blood.

3c1 mark

The kidneys filter the blood to produce urine, a mixture of minerals ions, urea and water. The pores of the kidney have a diameter of about 6 nanometres.

Table 1 shows the size of a number of molecules dissolved in blood plasma.

Table 1

Substance

Radius of molecule in nanometres

K

0.1

L

0.3

M

0.5

N

5.5-9.5

O

0.4

Identify which substance from the table in Table 1 would not be found in the urine of a healthy person.

3d2 marks

Suggest what the substance you identified in question 3(c) is and explain why it is not found in the urine of a healthy person.

3e2 marks

Another substance not found in the urine of a healthy individual is substance M.

Suggest an explanation for this.

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4a3 marks

The endocrine system, in combination with the nervous system, play a key role in regulation of many internal conditions in the human body.

Describe how the detection of a stimulus by a receptor of the nervous system can result in stimulation of the endocrine system. 

4b2 marks

(i) Identify the gland referred to as the 'master gland' in the endocrine system.

[1]

(ii) Suggest why this gland is referred to as the 'master gland'.

[1]

4c3 marks

Higher Tier Only

An investigation was carried out into the effect of a high protein diet on excretion in terms of synthesis of urea and production of urine.

The results can be seen in the table 1.

Table 1

Diet

Quantity of urea (g)

Volume of urine (L)

Normal Protein

23.5

1.57

High Protein

37.3

2.20

Explain why an increase in dietary protein may result in an increase in synthesis of urea in the human body.

4d3 marks

Suggest the link between the synthesis of urea and the volume of urine production shown in table 1.

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5a
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2 marks

Higher Tier Only

Diabetes insipidus is a disease which results in the inability to produce enough of the hormone ADH.

In a medical study, the ADH levels in the blood of 8 people were measured.

Four of the people A, B, C and D do not have diabetes insipidus.

The other four people E, F, G and H do suffer from the disease.

The results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Individuals without diabetes insipidus

ADH level in blood / µg per dm3

Individuals with diabetes insipidus

ADH level in blood / µg per dm3

A

5.2

E

0.1

B

2.8

F

0.2

C

4.9

G

0.3

D

3.5

H

0.0

Mean ADH level:

 

Mean ADH level:

  1. 0.15

Calculate the mean ADH level in the people without diabetes insipidus.

5b2 marks

Higher Tier Only

Suggest why there is a wide range of ADH levels in individuals without diabetes insipidus.

5c3 marks

Higher Tier Only

Explain why diabetes insipidus is likely to result in large volumes of urine production.

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1a6 marks

Table 1 shows some features that can be found in the endocrine system. 

Table 1

Features

Endocrine system

Type of communication signal

 

Source of signal

 

Target

 

Response time

 

Range of effect

 

Duration of response

 

Complete Table 1 by listing descriptions for each feature of the endocrine system.

1b4 marks

Androgenic anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone.

They have approved medical uses in male patients with disorders of the testicles or pituitary gland.

Some of the effects of these substances are shown below in Figure 1.

Figure 1

androgenic-anabolic-steroids

Suggest why androgenic anabolic steroids are a banned substance in sport.

1c4 marks

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease characterised by progressive weight loss, fatigue and a sudden-change in previously well-controlled blood sugar levels.

Suggest what causes these symptoms.

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2a1 mark

The hypothalamus is the section of the brain that links the nervous system and the endocrine system in order to maintain homeostasis.

Suggest which gland in the endocrine system the hypothalamus targets?

2b6 marks

Higher Tier Only

Pituitary tumours are usually abnormal, benign growths in the pituitary gland, that can impact important surrounding structures, such as nerves or blood vessels. Consequently, patients suffering from a pituitary tumour usually have the tumour and a large part of their pituitary gland removed, which can impact the amount of hormones produced.

Suggest the side effects of female patient, after having a pituitary tumour removed.

2c1 mark

Some individuals suffer from starvation even though they eat sufficient amounts of food.

Identify which condition of A - D could explain this.

  • Too little thyroxine

  • Too much adrenaline

  • Too much ADH

  • Too little insulin

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3a1 mark

Higher Tier Only

When participating in intense physical exercise a person's overall rate of metabolism increases.

Which hormones are released to allow the blood glucose levels to meet the increased metabolic demands of exercise?

  • Insulin and adrenaline

  • Glucagon and adrenaline

  • ADH and TSH

  • TSH and adrenaline

3b6 marks

Higher Tier Only

Figure 2 shows the blood glucose levels of a healthy individual.

Explain the events that most likely occur at points A to D.

Figure 2

blood-glucose
3c3 marks

The insulin receptor (INSR), is a transmembrane receptor that is activated when insulin binds to it. The binding of insulin triggers a signalling pathway that activates glucose transporters in the cell membrane. 

Some people suffer from a mutation in the INSR gene. 

Suggest the effect of such a mutation. 

3d2 marks

A scientist was interested in finding out how much water was lost from the human body on a particular day.

They measured the volume of fluid consumed and the volume of urine excreted.

Explain why measuring the volume of urine excreted would not be an accurate assessment of water lost.

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4a3 marks

A small number of patients with diabetes are given a pancreas transplant.

Out of these patients, only about 15% suffer from type II diabetes.

Explain why pancreas transplants are not often used for the treatment of type II diabetes.

4b1 mark

Glucose tolerance tests can be used to assess if a patient has diabetes. During the test, a patient (who has fasted for eight hours) drinks a sugary solution and the glucose concentration of the blood is measured at regular intervals.

Figure 2 shows the results of a blood glucose tolerance test for a patient with diabetes (patient A).

Figure 2

new-graph-1

Patient B who does not suffer from diabetes, undertook the same glucose tolerance test. The glucose concentration in their blood prior to drinking the sugary solution was 5 mmol / L .

Draw a curve on the graph in Figure 2 to show the results you would predict for patient B.

4c3 marks

In the glucose tolerance test, diabetes is diagnosed if the concentration of glucose in the blood is higher than 7 mmol / L from at least two different tests.

Explain why the results may sometimes be inaccurate. 

4d2 marks

Table 2 shows the composition of urine in a healthy individual.

Table 2

Component

Concentration / arbitrary units

urea

4.00

salts

3.00

glucose

 

protein 

 

amino acids

 

Explain what the missing values in Table 2 would most likely be.

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5a4 marks

Higher Tier Only

Following the consumption of drinks containing caffeine, urine production increases when compared to consuming the same volume of a non-caffeinated drink.

Suggest a biological mechanism for why this may happen.

5b6 marks

Explain how a dialysis machine filters blood.

5c6 marks

Explain why the majority of doctors consider kidney transplants to be a preferable solution compared to dialysis, for patients with kidney failure.

5d3 marks

Table 3 shows the number of single organ transplants that were performed in the UK in 2018.

Table 3

Organ

Number of transplants

Heart

2 210

Lung

1 470

Liver

6 394

Kidney

16 523

Pancreas

529

Intestine

208

Suggest why kidney transplants were the most frequent organ transplant.

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