AQA GCSE Biology Biology Paper 2 (Higher), June 2022: Question 3
10 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Analyse blood glucose regulation after eating, interpret a BMI chart for weight categories, and evaluate blood test results indicating Type 2 diabetes.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
03 It is important to control the concentration of glucose in the blood.
Figure 2 shows how the concentration of glucose in the blood of a person changed
over 4 hours.
Figure 2
03.1 Give one time when the concentration of insulin in the person’s blood would be high.
Use Figure 2.
[1 mark]
9 Time = hours
03.2 Explain the effect a high concentration of insulin has on blood glucose concentration.
[3 marks]
Effect
Explanation
People with diabetes have difficulty controlling the concentration of glucose in
their blood.
Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity.
Figure 3 shows how to find if an adult’s body mass is healthy for their height.
Figure 3
03.3 Person A:
• is 1.75 m in height
• has a body mass of 52 kg.
What is person A’s weight category?
*09* [1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Underweight
Healthy weight
Overweight
Obese
03.4 Person B is 1.9 m in height.
Give the range of body masses that would put person B in the
healthy weight category.
[1 mark]
Range from 12 kg to kg
03.5 Person C is obese.
A doctor thinks that person C has Type 2 diabetes.
The doctor tests a sample of blood from person C.
Table 2 shows:
• the results of the blood test
• the mean results for people who do not have diabetes.
Table 2
Concentration in blood
Mean for people who
Person C
do not have diabetes
Cholesterol in mmol/dm3 6.21 5.20
Glucose in mmol/dm3 9.56 4.51
Insulin in arbitrary units 24.32 14.83
Type 2 diabetes occurs when body cells have a reduced response to insulin.
Give two ways the results of the blood test show that person C might have
Type 2 diabetes.
[2 marks]
03.6 Give two ways that a person can reduce the chance of developing
Type 2 diabetes.
[2 marks]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 3
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
03.1 an answer in the range 1 AO2
1.1 to 2(.0) (hours) 4.5.3.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
03.2 effect : lowered 1 AO1
4.5.3.2
explanation:
glucose taken in 1
or
glucose converted to glycogen
or
glucose used in respiration
by cells / liver / muscles 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
03.3 underweight 1 AO3
4.5.3.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
(from) 67.5 (kg to) 90 (kg) allow in the range 67 to 68 (kg) 1 AO2
4.5.3.2
for 67.5 (kg)
03.4 allow in the range 90 to 90.5(kg)
for 90 (kg)
allow from 90 (kg to) 67.5 (kg)
AO /
Spec. Ref.
03.5 answers must be comparative AO3
4.5.3.2
(person C has) higher glucose allow comparison of higher 1
(than mean) glucose using numbers
allow (person C’s) glucose is too
high
(person C has) higher insulin allow comparison of higher 1
(than mean) insulin using numbers
allow (person C’s) insulin is too
high
do not accept (person C has)
higher cholesterol
ignore unprocessed data
AO /
Spec. Ref.
03.6 (more) exercise allow example of (more) 1 AO1
exercise 4.5.3.2
eat less carbohydrate / sugar allow eat less fat 1
or eat a low carbohydrate diet allow eat a carbohydrate
controlled diet
if no other marks awarded allow
1 mark for
lose weight
or maintain healthy weight
or eat less
or eat fewer calories
ignore references to healthy /
balanced diet or diet unqualified
Total Question 3 10
How to answer it
Blood Glucose Regulation & Diabetes Study Guide
Core Specification Reference: AQA GCSE Biology 4.5.3.2 (Hormonal control in humans – Blood glucose monitoring and Type 2 diabetes).
- Graph interpretation: Identifying peak hormone release windows following carbohydrate intake.
- Biological mechanisms: Stating the physiological effect and cellular action of insulin (conversion of glucose to glycogen in liver/muscle cells).
- Data analysis: Reading height-weight charts (BMI classifications) and extracting ranges accurately.
- Diagnostic evaluation: Interpreting blood test biomarkers (glucose vs insulin levels) for insulin resistance.
- Lifestyle interventions: Specific ways to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Time of Peak Insulin Concentration
1 Mark • Assessment Objective 2 (Application of Knowledge)
✅ Correct Answer
Any single value or range between 1.1 hours and 2.0 hours.
Example: 1.6 hours (or 1.7 hours )
💡 Key Knowledge
Insulin is secreted by the pancreas directly in response to rising blood glucose levels after a meal.
- The meal is eaten at around 0.8–0.9 hours.
- Blood glucose rises steeply and peaks around 1.6–1.7 hours.
- Therefore, insulin levels peak concurrently to bring glucose back down.
Mechanism of Insulin Action
3 Marks • Assessment Objective 1 (Recall of Facts)
✅ Model Answer
Effect:
Blood glucose concentration is lowered / decreases. [1 mark]
Explanation:
Glucose is converted into glycogen (or taken in / used in respiration) [1 mark] by liver or muscle cells. [1 mark]
❌ Common Errors & Confusions
- Confusing insulin and glucagon: Glucagon turns glycogen into glucose. Insulin converts glucose into insoluble glycogen.
- Vague target sites: Just stating "absorbed by the body" does not gain the target organ mark; you must name liver cells, muscle cells, or cells generally.
- Missing the effect: Forgetting to write the simple statement that blood glucose is lowered.
Interpreting Weight Category for Person A
1 Mark • Assessment Objective 3 (Analysing Information)
✅ Correct Answer
Tick box: Underweight
🧠 Exam Technique: Reading the Chart
- Find 1.75 m on the vertical axis (Height).
- Trace horizontally across to 52 kg on the horizontal axis (Body mass).
- The intersection falls entirely inside the first light grey band labeled Underweight.
Healthy Weight Range for Person B
1 Mark • Assessment Objective 2 (Application)
📐 Step-by-Step Chart Reading
- Find 1.9 m on the vertical axis.
- Move horizontally to find the left boundary of the "Healthy weight" zone: reads at 67.5 kg.
- Move horizontally to find the right boundary of the "Healthy weight" zone: reads at 90 kg.
✅ Accepted Range
Range from 67.5 kg to 90 kg
Allow upper limit anywhere between 90 and 90.5 kg.
Award 1 mark for giving both correct boundary values.
Blood Test Analysis for Type 2 Diabetes
2 Marks • Assessment Objective 3 (Data Evaluation)
✅ Correct Answer (Any Two Points)
- Person C has a higher glucose concentration than the mean / normal level (9.56 vs 4.51 mmol/dm³). [1 mark]
- Person C has a higher insulin concentration than the mean / normal level (24.32 vs 14.83 units). [1 mark]
❌ Common Misconceptions
- Mentioning cholesterol: Do not credit statements regarding cholesterol (e.g., "Person C has higher cholesterol"). High cholesterol is linked to diet/cardiovascular issues, not the primary mechanism of diabetes.
- Assuming insulin is low: In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin (often in excessive amounts), but the cells fail to respond to it. Hence, insulin is high, not low!
- Quoting raw numbers without comparison: Writing "Glucose is 9.56" without stating that this is higher than the mean earns 0 marks.
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes
2 Marks • Assessment Objective 1 (Recall of Facts)
✅ Any Two Distinct Lifestyle Changes
- More exercise / physical activity [1 mark]
- Eat less carbohydrate / sugar OR eat a low-carbohydrate diet [1 mark]
Also allowed: Eating less fat, a carbohydrate-controlled diet, losing weight / eating fewer calories.
🧠 Examiner Tip: Avoid Vague Answers
- Examiners strictly ignore the phrase "eat a healthy/balanced diet" unless qualified!
- Always be specific: mention reducing carbohydrates / simple sugars, reducing fats / calories, or increasing exercise.
Topics
Biology · B5: Homeostasis and Response
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Biology examination, Biology Paper 2 (Higher), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.