How many SCSA Human Biology questions cover Endocrine system?

AusGrader has 33 SCSA Human Biology questions on Endocrine system, all with instant AI grading and detailed marking feedback.

SCSA Human Biology Endocrine system

5 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers

2020

SCSA

1 mark

The target organ for the hormone calcitonin is the

parathyroid gland.

adrenal gland.

bones.

liver.

Q26

2022

SCSA

1 mark

Q26

1 mark

Which of the following is the key difference between adrenaline and insulin?

Insulin

is secreted in response to a chemical stimulus, while adrenaline secretion is controlled by a nerve impulse.

controls blood sugar concentrations, while adrenaline helps regulate temperature.

is secreted by the pancreas, while adrenaline is secreted by the kidneys.

is a water-soluble hormone, while adrenaline is a lipid-soluble one.

Q37

2022

SCSA

20 marks

Q37

Two unrelated patients; X and Y, visited the same neurosurgeon. The patients had very similar names, and both had a form of brain damage. The neurosurgeon asked Patient X to complete a point-to-point movement test, where the index finger touches the nose and then touches the outstretched finger of the neurosurgeon. He was also asked to walk across the room while the neurosurgeon observed his stability. Patient X found this very strange, as these tests were not what he normally experienced. He has a benign growth below the hypothalamus, reducing levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. When Patient X questioned this, the neurosurgeon realised he had mixed up the two patients and mistakenly thought he was seeing Patient Y.

Q37a

12 marks

Using the information above, identify the part of the brain damaged in both patients (X and Y), describe the role of these parts in normal body functioning and describe the effects damage to these structures would have on both patients.

An example response:

For patient X, the affected part is the anterior pituitary. Its role is to produce hormones, release hormones, and maintain homeostasis. The possible effects of damage include hypothyroidism, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

For patient Y, the affected part is the cerebellum, which coordinates voluntary motor movement and maintains balance. Possible effects of damage include weak muscles, slurred, speech, and abnormal eye movements.

Marking Criteria

Patient X

Descriptor	Marks
Identifies the affected part as the Anterior Pituitary	1
1 mark for each correct point (any 2 of): produces hormones releases hormones maintain homeostasis	2
1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of): hypothyroidism/reduced thyroxine fatigue/reduced energy levels/weakness/lethargy/reduced metabolic rate loss of appetite slow heart rate feeling cold (especially in hands and feet) increase weight/fluid retention	3

Patient Y

Descriptor	Marks
Identifies the affected part as the Cerebellum	1
1 mark for each correct point (any 2 of): coordination of voluntary motor movement balance/equilibrium/posture muscle tone	2
1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of): loss of coordination of motor movement the inability to judge distance and when to stop the inability to perform rapid alternating movements movement tremors staggering, wide based walking tendency toward falling weak muscles slurred speech abnormal eye movements	3

Q37b

8 marks

Describe how the hypothalamus and pituitary work together to achieve their main function.

An example response:

Hormones are produced in the hypothalamus, and are transported down the axons. Hormones are stored in posterior lobe and released via nervous stimulation.

Hormones are produced in the anterior lobe Inhibiting and releasing factors secreted by hypothalamus determine the release of hormones. Blood vessels connect hypothalamus with the anterior lobe, and released via hormonal stimulation.

Marking Criteria

Posterior pituitary

Descriptor	Marks
States that hormones are produced (in cell bodies located) in the hypothalamus or not produced by the pituitary	1
Describes that hormones are transported down the axons or neurosecretory cells	1
States that hormones are stored in the posterior lobe	1
Identifies that they are released via nervous stimulation	1

Anterior pituitary

Descriptor	Marks
States that hormones are produced in the anterior lobe	1
Explains that inhibiting and releasing factors secreted by the hypothalamus determine the release of hormones	1
Describes that blood vessels (hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system) connect the hypothalamus with the anterior lobe or that it travels in the blood	1
Identifies that they are released via chemical or hormonal stimulation	1

Q40

2020

SCSA

20 marks

Q40

Production of the human growth hormone (hGH) is controlled by a gene. Lack of this hormone leads to dwarfism in humans.

Q40a

6 marks

hGH is released from the pituitary gland. State from which lobe of the pituitary this hormone is secreted and explain the relationship between this lobe of the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus.

It is secreted from the anterior lobe. Communication between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary occurs through chemicals through the infundibulum. The hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary to release hormones via releasing factors. The hormones are released into a capillary network and transported through veins. The hypothalamus also produces inhibiting factors to inhibit the activity of the pituitary.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
States that it is secreted from the anterior lobe	1
Award 1 mark for each of the following points, up to a maximum of 5 marks: States that communication between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary occurs through chemicals or hormones States that this occurs through the infundibulum or blood vessels Explains that the hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary to release hormones States that this is via releasing factors or hormones Explains that the hormones are released into a capillary network and transported through veins States that the hypothalamus also produces inhibiting factors to inhibit the activity of the pituitary	5

Descriptor

Marks

States that it is secreted from the anterior lobe

Award 1 mark for each of the following points, up to a maximum of 5 marks:

States that communication between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary occurs through chemicals or hormones
States that this occurs through the infundibulum or blood vessels
Explains that the hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary to release hormones
States that this is via releasing factors or hormones
Explains that the hormones are released into a capillary network and transported through veins
States that the hypothalamus also produces inhibiting factors to inhibit the activity of the pituitary

Q40b

6 marks

hGH is a water-soluble hormone. Explain how hGH enters and affects the functioning of its target cell.

The hormone dissolves in water, not fats, so it cannot pass through the cell membrane. Instead, the hormone molecule attaches to a receptor molecule found on the surface of the target cell, and the receptor molecule must match the shape of the signalling molecule.

The binding of the hormone to the receptor triggers a response inside the cell. This secondary messenger activates enzymes inside the cytoplasm, which adjust the chemical activity of the cell, causing the speed of reactions to either increase or decrease.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Describes how the hormone enters the target cell. Award 1 mark for each of the following points, up to a maximum of 3 marks: States that the hormone dissolves in water (not fats) so cannot pass through the cell membrane States that the hormone molecule attaches to a receptor molecule States that the receptor molecule is found on the surface of the target cell Explains that the receptor molecule must match the shape of the signalling molecule	3
Describes how the hormone affects the target cell. Award 1 mark for each of the following points, up to a maximum of 3 marks: States that the binding of the hormone to the receptor triggers a secondary messenger or response inside the cell Explains that the secondary messenger activates enzymes inside the cytoplasm States that enzymes adjust the chemical activity of the cell States that the speed of reactions will either increase or decrease	3

Descriptor

Marks

Describes how the hormone enters the target cell. Award 1 mark for each of the following points, up to a maximum of 3 marks:

States that the hormone dissolves in water (not fats) so cannot pass through the cell membrane
States that the hormone molecule attaches to a receptor molecule
States that the receptor molecule is found on the surface of the target cell
Explains that the receptor molecule must match the shape of the signalling molecule

Describes how the hormone affects the target cell. Award 1 mark for each of the following points, up to a maximum of 3 marks:

States that the binding of the hormone to the receptor triggers a secondary messenger or response inside the cell
Explains that the secondary messenger activates enzymes inside the cytoplasm
States that enzymes adjust the chemical activity of the cell
States that the speed of reactions will either increase or decrease

Q40c

8 marks

Dwarfism can be treated using synthetically produced hGH. Explain how hGH could be produced using recombinant DNA technology.

The gene for hGH is located on a human chromosome and is treated with a restriction enzyme, which cuts DNA at specific sites. A plasmid is cut with the same restriction enzyme, and the gene is inserted into the plasmid using ligase. The plasmid acts as a vector and produces a transgenic organism. The recombinant plasmid enters into a host bacterial cell, which clones. The bacteria express the gene to synthesize the human protein, which produces large-scale amounts of hGH.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Award 1 mark for each of the following points, up to a maximum of 8 marks: States that the gene for hGH is located on a human chromosome States that the gene is cut out using an endonuclease or treated with a restriction enzyme Explains that the enzyme cuts DNA at specific sites or produces sticky ends States that a plasmid is cut with the same restriction enzyme States that the gene is inserted into the plasmid using ligase Explains that the plasmid acts as a vector or produces a transgenic organism States that the recombinant plasmid enters into a host bacterial cell States that the bacterial cell propagates, replicates, or clones Explains that the bacteria express the gene to synthesize the human protein or hormone States that this produces large-scale amounts of hGH	8

Descriptor

Marks

Award 1 mark for each of the following points, up to a maximum of 8 marks:

States that the gene for hGH is located on a human chromosome
States that the gene is cut out using an endonuclease or treated with a restriction enzyme
Explains that the enzyme cuts DNA at specific sites or produces sticky ends
States that a plasmid is cut with the same restriction enzyme
States that the gene is inserted into the plasmid using ligase
Explains that the plasmid acts as a vector or produces a transgenic organism
States that the recombinant plasmid enters into a host bacterial cell
States that the bacterial cell propagates, replicates, or clones
Explains that the bacteria express the gene to synthesize the human protein or hormone
States that this produces large-scale amounts of hGH

Q37

2025

SCSA

20 marks

Q37

Christian, a 40-year-old man, was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Christian was classified as obese according to his body mass index and his fasting blood glucose level was very high being measured at 10.3 mmol L $^{-1}$ . In addition to changes to his diet and increased exercise, Christian's doctor prescribed a drug to promote weight loss and lower Christian's blood glucose levels. This drug mimics a natural water-soluble hormone in the human body, enhancing the action of insulin and reducing glucagon levels.

Q37b

Explain how the following glands maintain blood glucose levels during fasting: ...

Q37a

5 marks

Outline how water-soluble hormones influence their target cells.

They attach to receptor proteins in the membrane of the target cell, forming a hormone-receptor complex. This activates a secondary messenger inside the cytoplasm or cell, activating particular enzymes, and having a short-lived response.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
States that they attach to receptor proteins in the membrane of the target cell	1
Describes the formation of a hormone-receptor complex	1
Explains that this activates a secondary messenger inside the cytoplasm/cell	1
States that this activates particular enzymes/increases enzyme concentration	1
Describes the response as having a fast onset/short-lived response	1

Q37b (i)

9 marks

... pancreas

Low blood glucose levels are detected by chemoreceptors, and the alpha cells are stimulated. Glucagon is secreted, stimulating glycogenolysis, which is the breakdown of glycogen to glucose, and gluconeogenesis, which is the production of glucose from amino acids and fats. Both of these processes primarily occur in the liver. It also stimulates lipolysis, the breakdown of fats, which occurs in most body cells or adipose tissue.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
States that low blood glucose levels are detected	1
Identifies that detection is by chemoreceptors	1
States that the Islets of Langerhans/alpha cells are stimulated	1
States that glucagon is secreted	1
Describes the stimulation of glycogenolysis/breakdown of glycogen to glucose	1
Describes the stimulation of gluconeogenesis/production of glucose from amino acids and fats	1
States that both processes primarily occur in the liver	1
Describes the stimulation of lipolysis/breakdown of fats	1
States that lipolysis occurs in most body cells/adipose tissue	1

Q37b (ii)

3 marks

... adrenal glands

The adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline/noradrenaline, and the adrenal cortex secretes cortisol. This further enhances the rate of glucose production, increasing blood glucose by gluconeogenesis/glycogenolysis.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of): States that the adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline/noradrenaline; States that the adrenal cortex secretes cortisol; Explains that this further enhances the rate of glucose production/increases blood glucose; Identifies that this occurs by gluconeogenesis/glycogenolysis	3

Q37c

3 marks

Explain why a patient with Type 1 diabetes would not be prescribed the drug from the above scenario to manage their blood glucose levels.

Type 1 diabetes is the inability to produce insulin. The drug works to enhance insulin activity, so if there is no insulin being produced, the drug will have no effect.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Defines Type 1 diabetes as the inability to produce insulin	1
States that the drug works to enhance insulin activity	1
Concludes that if there is no insulin being produced, the drug will have no effect	1

SCSA Human Biology Endocrine system

Patient X

Patient Y

Posterior pituitary

Anterior pituitary

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