AQA GCSE Biology Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2024: Question 5
9 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Identify features of blood glucose control and analyse experimental data on the effect of a diabetes drug in mice.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
05 The hormone insulin helps to control the concentration of glucose in the blood.
05.1 Which organ produces insulin?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Adrenal gland
Pancreas
Thyroid
People with Type 2 diabetes:
• produce insulin
• have body cells that do not respond to insulin
• often have a high concentration of glucose in their blood.
05.2 Why do people with Type 2 diabetes often have a high concentration of glucose in
their blood?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The body cells change glucose into glycogen for storage.
The body cells have a high rate of respiration to release energy.
The body cells take in a low amount of glucose from the blood.21
Drug X is used for treating people who have Type 2 diabetes.
Scientists investigated the effect of drug X on the concentration of glucose in the
blood of mice.
This is the method used.
*20* 1. Give two groups of mice the same diet for 8 weeks.
2. Give each mouse in group A 2 cm3 of water to drink.
3. Give each mouse in group B 2 cm3 of drug X to drink.
4. After 30 minutes, give each mouse 1 cm3 of glucose solution to drink.
5. Measure the concentration of glucose in the blood of each mouse at intervals
for 3 hours.
05.3 Give two control variables used in the investigation.
[2 marks]
Figure 6 shows the results.
Figure 6
In each group of mice, the concentration of glucose increases to a maximum value
and then decreases.
05.4 Group B reached a maximum value earlier than group A.
Determine how many minutes earlier.
[2 marks]
Number of minutes earlier =23
05.5 Give two conclusions about the effect of drug X on the concentration of glucose
in the blood.
Do not refer to reaching the maximum value earlier.
[2 marks]
05.6 How could scientists find the best dose of drug X for controlling blood
glucose concentration?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Repeat the investigation twice more.
Use different concentrations of drug X.
Use more mice in the investigation.
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 5
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec Ref.
05.1 pancreas 1 AO1
4.5.3.2
AO /
Spec Ref.
05.2 the body cells take in a low 1 AO2
amount of glucose from the 4.5.3.2
blood
AO /
Spec Ref.
05.3 any two from: 2 AO2
4.5.3.2
• (same) diet
• (same diet for same) duration
• (same / 30-minute) time if neither point given allow
before being given glucose time
• (same) volume of water and allow (same) amount of water
and drug X
drug X allow 2 cm3 of drink
• (same) volume of glucose allow (same) amount of glucose
(solution) (solution)
allow 1 cm3 glucose (solution)
if neither bp4 nor bp5 awarded,
allow 1 mark for (same) volume
/ amount of drink
AO /
Spec Ref.
05.4 20 and 30 allow an answer in the range 1 AO3
28 to 32 for group A
(30 – 20 =) 10 (minutes) allow an answer consistent with 1 AO2
values for A between 28 and 32–– –
4.5.3.2
AO /
Spec Ref.
05.5 any two from: 2 AO3
4.5.3.2
(with drug X)
• lower throughout
• lower maximum
(concentration)
• slower increase (in
concentration)
• slower decrease (in
concentration)
• returns to original
(concentration) (sooner)
AO /
Spec Ref.
05.6 use different concentrations of 1 AO3
drug X 4.5.3.2
Total Question 5 9
How to answer it
Blood Glucose Regulation & Diabetes Drug Trial
This question examines core biological recall and practical analytical skills from Specification 4.5.3.2 (Homeostasis and Response):
- Recalling the endocrine gland responsible for producing insulin.
- Understanding the physiological mechanism of Type 2 diabetes.
- Identifying control variables from a stepped experimental protocol.
- Extracting data from a dual-line graph, reading coordinate axes accurately, and calculating time differences.
- Formulating valid comparative conclusions from experimental data while adhering to command restrictions.
- Evaluating how drug trials are adapted to establish optimal dosage.
Organ Producing Insulin
1 Mark • AO1 Recall
✅ Correct Answer
Pancreas
💡 Key Knowledge
The pancreas acts as both an endocrine and digestive organ. In blood glucose control, its cells constantly monitor glucose levels in the blood and secrete:
- Insulin when blood glucose concentration is too high.
- Glucagon when blood glucose concentration is too low.
Cause of High Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes
1 Mark • AO2 Application
✅ Correct Answer
The body cells take in a low amount of glucose from the blood.
🧠 Exam Technique
Read the question stem carefully: it states that people with Type 2 diabetes "have body cells that do not respond to insulin".
Normally, insulin signals cells to absorb glucose from the blood. If target cells ignore this signal, glucose cannot enter and remains trapped in the bloodstream.
❌ Common Errors
Option 1 ("cells change glucose into glycogen"): This is what happens in a healthy body to lower blood glucose. In untreated diabetes, this process does not occur efficiently.
Control Variables in the Investigation
2 Marks • AO2 Practical Working Scientifically
✅ Correct Answers (Any Two)
- (Same) diet fed to the mice.
- (Same) duration of diet (e.g. 8 weeks).
- (Same) volume of liquid given initially (i.e. 2 cm³ of water / Drug X).
- (Same) time period before administering glucose (i.e. 30 minutes).
- (Same) volume of glucose solution administered (i.e. 1 cm³ ).
🧠 Exam Technique
When asked for control variables from an experimental method:
- Quote specific quantities given in the steps (e.g. "same volume of glucose solution ( 1 cm³ )").
- Use the word "volume" rather than the vague term "amount".
❌ Common Errors
- Writing just "time" alone without context (examiners only allow this if no specific time period like '30 minutes' or '8 weeks' is credited).
- Stating an independent variable (giving water vs Drug X) instead of a kept-constant variable.
Determining Peak Time Difference from Figure 6
2 Marks • AO3 Data Analysis & AO2 Calculation
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Read Peak Time for Group B (Drug X, dashed line):
Peak is at 12 mmol/dm³ at Time = 20 minutes. - Read Peak Time for Group A (Water, solid line):
Peak is at 25 mmol/dm³ at Time = 30 minutes (accept 28 to 32 minutes ). - Calculate the difference:
30 - 20 = 10 minutes
Number of minutes earlier = 10
❌ Common Errors
- Reading the wrong axis: Reading the y-axis values ( 25 and 12 ) and calculating 25 - 12 = 13 . The question asks "how many minutes earlier", which requires the x-axis (time)!
- Misreading the scale: On the x-axis, each small square represents 2 minutes.
• 1 mark for correctly identifying 20 and 30 minutes (allow 28–32 for Group A).
• 1 mark for calculating the correct subtraction ( 10 minutes).
Conclusions About the Effect of Drug X
2 Marks • AO3 Drawing Conclusions
⚠️ Crucial Question Instruction
"Do not refer to reaching the maximum value earlier." Any answer mentioning the timing of the peak receives 0 marks. Always cross out banned phrases before writing your answer!
✅ Correct Conclusions (Any Two)
With Drug X:
- Blood glucose concentration is lower throughout the investigation.
- It produces a lower maximum / peak glucose concentration (12 vs 25 mmol/dm³).
- There is a slower increase in glucose concentration.
- There is a slower decrease in glucose concentration.
- Blood glucose returns to original / starting level sooner (reaches 5 mmol/dm³ by 180 min).
🧠 Exam Technique
- Always make a direct comparative statement (e.g. "lower peak" rather than just "peak is 12").
- Ensure you specify which group you are describing. Top responses clearly state: "With Drug X, the maximum glucose concentration is lower than with water."
Finding the Best Dose of Drug X
1 Mark • AO3 Experimental Design
✅ Correct Answer
Use different concentrations of drug X.
💡 Key Knowledge
Dose refers to the quantity or concentration of the active medicine given to a patient or test subject. To find the optimal therapeutic dose, scientists test a range of concentrations to find the minimum effective dose with minimal side effects.
❌ Common Errors
- "Repeat the investigation twice more" — increases repeatability/precision, but does not test new doses.
- "Use more mice" — improves sample size and reliability, but still only tests a single dose.
Topics
Biology · B5: Homeostasis and Response
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Biology examination, Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.