AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), 2022: Question 4

12 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Identify endocrine glands, describe hormone transport, explain blood glucose regulation by insulin, interpret glucose concentration graphs, and suggest lifestyle changes for Type 2 diabetes.

Practise this question

Question

A multi-part biology exam question about the human endocrine system. Figure 5 shows a diagram of the human body with four endocrine glands labeled A (brain area), B (neck area), C (above kidneys), and D (pancreas area). Figure 6 is a line graph plotting blood glucose concentration in mmol/dm³ against time of day from 8:00 to 12:00. The graph shows two lines: one for a woman which peaks at 9:00 and one for a man which remains flat at a lower level. Questions involve identifying glands, naming insulin, explaining its function, and interpreting the graph data for a diabetic patient.
Question text

04 The endocrine system is made up of glands which secrete hormones.

Figure 5 shows the position of endocrine glands in the human body.

Figure 5

04.1 Which letter shows the pancreas?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A B C D

04.2 Which letter shows the thyroid gland?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A B 19C D

04.3 Hormones travel from the gland where they are made to the target organ where they

have an effect.

How do hormones travel from the gland to the target organ?

[1 mark]

When blood glucose concentration becomes too high, hormone X from the pancreas

causes a decrease in the glucose concentration.

04.4 Name hormone X.

[1 mark]

04.5 In what two ways does hormone X cause a decrease in blood

glucose concentration?

[2 marks]

Tick ( ) two boxes.

Glucose is broken down.

Glucose is converted to glycogen.

Glucose is excreted by the kidneys.

Glucose moves from the blood into the cells.

Glucose moves into the small intestine.20

Figure 6 shows the blood glucose concentration in a woman.

Figure 6

04.6 Suggest what time of day the woman ate her breakfast of sugar-coated cereal.

[1 mark]

Time of day =

The man in Figure 6 has Type 2 diabetes but he has not been treated.

04.7 The man ate:

• the same type and amount of breakfast cereal as the woman

• at the same time as the woman.

Suggest what his blood glucose concentration would be at 9:00

[1 mark]

*20* Blood glucose concentration = mmol/dm3

04.8 The man:

• is an obese office worker

• does not exercise

• eats sugary snacks at his desk.

Give two lifestyle changes a doctor might recommend to the man to help him control

his diabetes.

[2 marks]

04.9 Describe how a low blood glucose concentration would lead to a person feeling weak.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for question 4 lists the correct answers and marking points. It identifies gland D as the pancreas and B as the thyroid. It states hormones travel through the blood and identifies hormone X as insulin. It lists two ways insulin works: converting glucose to glycogen and moving glucose into cells. It provides a time of 8:30 am for the woman's breakfast and a range of 6.5 to 20 mmol/dm³ for the diabetic man's glucose level. Finally, it explains that low blood glucose leads to weakness due to less respiration and therefore less energy released.

Question 4

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

04.1 D 1 AO1

4.5.3.1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

04.2 B 1 AO1

4.5.3.1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

04.3 (in / through / via) blood(stream) allow (in / through / via) plasma 1 AO1

allow (in / through / via) blood 4.5.3.1

vessels

allow (in / through / via) arteries

/ veins / capillaries

AO /

Spec. Ref.

04.4 insulin 1 AO1

4.5.3.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

04.5 glucose is converted to 1 AO1

glycogen 4.5.3.2

glucose moves from the blood 1

into the cells – OMBINED SCIENCE: TRILOGY – –

AO /

Spec. Ref.

04.6 8:30 (am) allow 8:15 – 8:35 (am) 1 AO3

allow time written in words 4.5.3.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

04.7 any value in the 1 AO3

range ≥ 6.5 to ≤ 20 (mmol/dm3) 4.5.3.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

04.8 any two from: 2 AO2

4.5.3.2

• low carbohydrate diet allow low calorie / fat / sugar diet

allow eat fewer (sugary) snacks

• exercise (regime) allow description of exercise

• lose body mass allow lose weight

allow (metformin) tablets to

– OMBINED SCIENCE: TRIreduce blood glucoseLOGY – –

AO /

Spec. Ref.

04.9 (less) respiration 1 AO1

4.5.3.2

(so) less energy released / do not accept energy produced 1 AO2

transferred / made / created 4.4.2.1

or

less muscle contraction

Total Question 4 12

How to answer it

The Endocrine System & Blood Glucose

What this question tests

This question assesses your ability to identify major endocrine glands, understand how hormones travel, and explain the homeostatic control of blood glucose by insulin. It also tests graph interpretation skills and knowledge of Type 2 diabetes management.

Parts 4.1 & 4.2

Identifying the Glands

Key Knowledge

  • A: Pituitary Gland (the "master gland" in the brain).
  • B: Thyroid Gland (in the neck).
  • C: Adrenal Gland (on top of the kidneys).
  • D: Pancreas (below the stomach).

Correct Answers

  • 4.1: D (Pancreas)
  • 4.2: B (Thyroid)
Part 4.3

Hormone Transport

Correct Answer

Hormones travel in the blood (or bloodstream/plasma).

Exam Technique

The examiner will also accept specific blood vessels (like "arteries" or "capillaries"), but "blood" is the simplest and most accurate answer to remember for all hormones.

Parts 4.4 & 4.5

Insulin Action

How Hormone X (Insulin) works

Correct Answers

4.4: Insulin

4.5: (Tick two boxes)

  • Glucose is converted to glycogen.
  • Glucose moves from the blood into the cells.

Common Errors

Do not confuse Glycogen (the storage molecule) with Glucagon (the hormone that raises blood sugar). Remember: "When the glucose is gone, you need Glucagon."

Parts 4.6 & 4.7

Graph Interpretation

Analyzing Figure 6

Look at the "Woman" line. The blood glucose starts to rise sharply at 8:30. This is when the sugar from the cereal enters the blood.

Correct Answers

4.6: 8:30 (am)

4.7: Any value higher than 6.5 (e.g., 10.0 mmol/dm³).

Why is the Diabetic value higher?

In Type 2 diabetes, the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. Therefore, glucose stays in the blood much longer and reaches much higher levels than in a healthy person.

Part 4.8

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Correct Answers (Pick Two)

  • Lose weight / lose body mass.
  • Regular exercise.
  • Low carbohydrate or low sugar diet.

Examiner Insight

The question asks for lifestyle changes. While medication (like Metformin) is used, doctors always recommend diet and exercise first for Type 2 management.

Part 4.9

Low Glucose and Weakness

Correct Answer

1. There is less respiration taking place.

2. Therefore, less energy is released (or transferred).

1 mark for respiration, 1 mark for energy link.

The "Energy" Trap

NEVER say energy is "produced", "made", or "created". Energy is released or transferred. Using the word "produced" can lose you the mark in many biology mark schemes!

Topics

Biology · B5: Homeostasis and Response · B4: Bioenergetics

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.