SCSA Human Biology Homeostasis
15 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers · Avg. score: 69.2%
Homeostatic processes involve both nerves and hormones in the maintenance of many bodily functions, such as blood glucose levels.
Define homeostasis and describe how a negative feedback model contributes to the maintenance of bodily functions.
Reveal Answer
Homeostasis is the ability of an organism to maintain a constant internal environment or steady state, despite changes in either internal or external conditions, to maintain optimal functioning of cells.
Negative feedback is activated when internal or external conditions change from optimal conditions. It is when the response counteracts the change, which returns the body to normal.
In the maintenance of bodily functions, a stimulus is a change in the internal or external environment. The receptor detects a change outside of the tolerance limits and produces a nervous or hormonal signal. The control centre receives and processes the signal, then sends a message to the effector. The effector, such as a muscle or gland, carries out the response. The response counteracts the initial stimulus.
Homeostasis
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Defines homeostasis as the ability of an organism to maintain a constant internal environment/steady state | 1 |
States that this occurs despite changes in either internal or external conditions | 1 |
Explains that the purpose is to maintain optimal functioning of cells/cell processes/metabolic processes | 1 |
Negative feedback
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that negative feedback is activated when internal or external conditions change from optimal conditions | 1 |
Describes that the response counteracts the change/response reduces stimulus | 1 |
States that it returns the body/body cells to normal | 1 |
Maintenance of bodily functions
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Defines a stimulus as a change in the internal/external environment | 1 |
States that the receptor detects a change (outside of the tolerance limits) | 1 |
States that it produces a nervous or hormonal signal | 1 |
States that the control centre/modulator receives the signal/processes signal | 1 |
States that it sends a message to the effector | 1 |
States that the effector/muscle/gland carries out the response | 1 |
States that the response counteracts the initial stimulus/reduces stimulus/has the opposite effect to the initial stimulus | 1 |
Explain the role the adrenal glands play in maintaining blood glucose levels.
Reveal Answer
The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol or glucocorticoids, which stimulates the conversion of glycogen into glucose. It increases the rate that amino acids are removed from muscle cells and taken to the liver, where amino acids are converted into glucose by the liver. It also increases the movement of fatty acids from adipose tissue to muscle cells for use. The adrenal medulla produces adrenaline or noradrenaline, which stimulates the production of lactic acid from glycogen in muscle cells. This lactic acid is then converted to glucose in the liver.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
1 mark for each correct point (any 7 of):
| 7 |
During a trip to the Australian bush, a young man was lost for over six hours. The day on which he was lost was particularly hot, with temperatures peaking at 42 °C. After a day's rest, the young man recovered from his experience with no lasting ill-effects.
Describe the physiological mechanisms that would have been operating to maintain his internal body temperature during the six hours he was lost in the bush.
Reveal Answer
Internal body temperature increases, and thermoreceptors detect the increased temperature. Central thermoreceptors are located in the hypothalamus, and peripheral thermoreceptors are located in the skin. The hypothalamus activates cooling mechanisms. In peripheral blood vessels and skin arterioles, vasodilation occurs, leading to heat loss by radiation and conduction. Heat loss also occurs by evaporation as sweat glands are activated and increased sweating occurs. There is a decrease in metabolic rate, which occurs because of a decrease in thyroxine, to decrease heat production.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
1 mark for each correct point (any 10 of): Internal body temperature increase; Thermoreceptors detect increased temperature; Central thermoreceptors located in hypothalamus/peripheral thermoreceptors located in the skin; Hypothalamus activates cooling mechanisms/acts as modulator; Peripheral blood vessels/skin arterioles; Vasodilation occurs; Heat loss by radiation/conduction; Heat loss by evaporation; Sweat glands activated; (Increases) sweating occurs; Decrease metabolic rate; Occurs because of decrease thyroxine; To decrease heat production | 10 |
Explain how the mechanisms required to maintain homeostasis of the man's internal body temperature would have also triggered the homeostatic processes involved in the maintenance of his body fluid concentration.
Reveal Answer
Increased sweating results in greater water loss from the body, so water must be conserved.
The water concentration of blood plasma decreases. Osmoreceptors detect this decrease in water concentration. These osmoreceptors are in the hypothalamus, and the hypothalamus stimulates the posterior pituitary gland. Increased ADH is released, and the permeability of the collecting tubule of the nephron to water is increased. An increased amount of water is reabsorbed into the blood. The thirst reflex is also triggered, sending a nerve impulse to the cerebrum.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that increased sweating results in greater water loss from body | 1 |
States that water must be conserved or replaced | 1 |
1 mark for each correct point (any 8 of): Water concentration of blood plasma decreases/osmotic pressure of the blood increases; Osmoreceptors detect decrease in water concentration/increase in osmotic pressure; Osmoreceptors in hypothalamus; Hypothalamus stimulates posterior pituitary gland; Increased ADH released; Permeability of the distal convoluted tubule/collecting tubule (of the nephron) to water is increased; Increased amount of water is reabsorbed into the blood/water concentration of blood plasma increases/osmotic pressure of the blood decreases; Thirst reflex also triggered; Nerve impulse to cerebrum/cerebral cortex/conscious desire to drink/skeletal muscle effectors carry out response | 8 |
Type 2 diabetes is a condition whereby a person can
produce glucagon but their cells do not respond to it.
produce insulin but their cells do not respond to it.
no longer produce insulin.
no longer produce glucagon.
Reveal Answer
produce glucagon but their cells do not respond to it.
Type 2 diabetes is a disorder of insulin signaling, not glucagon resistance.
produce insulin but their cells do not respond to it.
This correctly describes insulin resistance, which is the primary mechanism underlying Type 2 diabetes.
no longer produce insulin.
The inability to produce insulin is the defining characteristic of Type 1 diabetes, not Type 2.
no longer produce glucagon.
Diabetes is characterized by issues with insulin production or response, rather than a failure to produce glucagon.
A study measured the concentration of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the blood of 100 healthy elderly volunteers at 4-hourly intervals throughout a 24-hour period. ADH secretion normally increases at night. The expected increase in ADH levels during the night was not seen in 80% of the group. Why would these lower levels of ADH result in the volunteers needing to empty their bladders more than once during the night?
Low ADH levels
do not allow rapid eye movement (REM) sleep to occur, so the volunteers are awake more often.
reduce the ability of the bladder to hold large volumes of urine.
stimulate the kidney to filter blood faster and create more urine.
decrease the amount of water reabsorbed from kidney tubules.
Reveal Answer
do not allow rapid eye movement (REM) sleep to occur, so the volunteers are awake more often.
ADH primarily acts on the kidneys to regulate water balance, not on the brain to regulate sleep cycles such as REM sleep.
reduce the ability of the bladder to hold large volumes of urine.
The physical capacity of the bladder to hold urine is determined by its muscular walls and nervous system control, not by ADH levels.
stimulate the kidney to filter blood faster and create more urine.
ADH does not increase the glomerular filtration rate (how fast blood is filtered); instead, it regulates how much water is reabsorbed after the blood has already been filtered.
decrease the amount of water reabsorbed from kidney tubules.
ADH increases the permeability of the kidney's collecting ducts to water. Lower levels of ADH mean less water is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream, resulting in a larger volume of urine that fills the bladder more quickly.
Which factor has the greatest impact on breathing rate?
decreased oxygen levels in the blood
increased physical activity
decreased body temperature
increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood
Reveal Answer
decreased oxygen levels in the blood
Incorrect. While low oxygen levels can stimulate breathing, the respiratory center is much more sensitive to changes in carbon dioxide than oxygen under normal physiological conditions.
increased physical activity
Incorrect. Although physical activity increases breathing rate, it does so primarily because exercising muscles produce more carbon dioxide, making the actual chemical trigger.
decreased body temperature
Incorrect. A decrease in body temperature typically slows down metabolic rate and decreases breathing rate, rather than acting as a primary stimulus to increase it.
increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood
Correct. Central chemoreceptors in the brain are highly sensitive to increased levels and the resulting drop in blood pH, making it the primary driver for regulating breathing rate.
Which of the following best describes homeostasis? Homeostasis
involves a single negative feedback loop to maintain body conditions.
is the maintenance of a stable, relatively constant internal environment.
uses negative and positive feedback loops to keep the body at optimum conditions.
ensures both the internal and the external environments remain constant.
Reveal Answer
involves a single negative feedback loop to maintain body conditions.
Incorrect. Homeostasis relies on multiple, complex negative feedback loops working together across different body systems, rather than a single loop.
is the maintenance of a stable, relatively constant internal environment.
Correct. Homeostasis is defined as the ability of an organism to maintain a stable, relatively constant internal environment despite changes in external conditions.
uses negative and positive feedback loops to keep the body at optimum conditions.
Incorrect. While negative feedback maintains homeostasis, positive feedback loops typically push the organism further out of homeostasis to achieve a specific outcome, such as childbirth or blood clotting.
ensures both the internal and the external environments remain constant.
Incorrect. Homeostasis only regulates the internal environment of an organism; biological systems cannot control the external environment.
The purpose of peripheral vasoconstriction in temperature regulation is to
reduce blood oxygen levels when cold thermoreceptors are triggered.
increase blood oxygen levels when hot thermoreceptors are triggered.
conserve body heat when cold thermoreceptors are triggered.
reduce heat loss when hot thermoreceptors are triggered.
Reveal Answer
reduce blood oxygen levels when cold thermoreceptors are triggered.
The primary purpose of peripheral vasoconstriction is related to thermal regulation, not altering blood oxygen levels.
increase blood oxygen levels when hot thermoreceptors are triggered.
Hot thermoreceptors trigger vasodilation, not vasoconstriction, and the goal is temperature regulation rather than changing oxygen levels.
conserve body heat when cold thermoreceptors are triggered.
When cold thermoreceptors detect low temperatures, peripheral blood vessels constrict to reduce blood flow to the skin, minimizing heat loss and conserving core body heat.
reduce heat loss when hot thermoreceptors are triggered.
Hot thermoreceptors trigger vasodilation to increase heat loss and cool the body down, whereas vasoconstriction occurs in response to cold.
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.
Reveal Answer
is secreted in response to a chemical stimulus, while adrenaline secretion is controlled by a nerve impulse.
Insulin secretion is triggered by high blood glucose levels (a chemical stimulus), whereas adrenaline is released in response to sympathetic nerve impulses during the "fight-or-flight" response.
controls blood sugar concentrations, while adrenaline helps regulate temperature.
While insulin does regulate blood sugar, adrenaline is primarily involved in the body's stress response, not temperature regulation.
is secreted by the pancreas, while adrenaline is secreted by the kidneys.
Insulin is secreted by the pancreas, but adrenaline is secreted by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, rather than the kidneys themselves.
is a water-soluble hormone, while adrenaline is a lipid-soluble one.
Both insulin (a peptide hormone) and adrenaline (an amine hormone derived from tyrosine) are water-soluble hormones.
Respiratory acidosis is a disorder whereby the acidity of the blood is high. High acidity of the blood is caused by
a decrease in carbon dioxide levels, which leads to a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration.
an increase in carbon dioxide levels, which leads to an increase in hydrogen ion concentration.
an increase in carbon dioxide levels, which leads to a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration.
a decrease in carbon dioxide levels, which leads to an increase in hydrogen ion concentration.
Reveal Answer
a decrease in carbon dioxide levels, which leads to a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration.
A decrease in carbon dioxide levels would shift the bicarbonate buffer equation to the left, decreasing hydrogen ion concentration and causing respiratory alkalosis, not acidosis.
an increase in carbon dioxide levels, which leads to an increase in hydrogen ion concentration.
In respiratory acidosis, accumulated carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which dissociates to increase the hydrogen ion () concentration, thereby increasing blood acidity.
an increase in carbon dioxide levels, which leads to a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration.
While respiratory acidosis does involve an increase in carbon dioxide, this increase leads to a higher, not lower, hydrogen ion concentration due to the formation of carbonic acid.
a decrease in carbon dioxide levels, which leads to an increase in hydrogen ion concentration.
A decrease in carbon dioxide levels would actually decrease hydrogen ion concentration, leading to lower blood acidity (alkalosis), rather than increasing it.
Explain how the nervous system and endocrine system work together to prevent body temperature from falling below optimum levels in the short-term.
Reveal Answer
Thermoreceptors in the hypothalamus detect a decrease in blood temperature, and cold receptors in the skin send nerve impulses to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus sends messages via the autonomic division of the nervous system to the skin, which stimulate arterioles to constrict. It also sends messages to skeletal muscles that contract and relax rapidly, and to sweat glands to reduce the production of sweat. The hypothalamus also stimulates the adrenal medulla via sympathetic nerves. The adrenal medulla secretes adrenalin and noradrenaline into the blood, and these hormones increase cell respiration, metabolism, and heat production.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that thermoreceptors in the hypothalamus detect a decrease in blood temperature | 1 |
States that peripheral thermoreceptors or cold receptors in the skin send nerve impulses to the hypothalamus | 1 |
Explains that the hypothalamus sends nerve impulses or messages via the autonomic division of the nervous system | 1 |
Describes that messages are sent to the skin which stimulate arterioles to constrict or cause vasoconstriction | 1 |
Describes that messages are sent to skeletal muscles that contract and relax rapidly or shiver | 1 |
Describes that messages are sent to sweat glands to reduce the production of sweat | 1 |
States that the hypothalamus also stimulates the adrenal medulla | 1 |
Identifies that this stimulation is via sympathetic nerves | 1 |
Explains that the adrenal medulla secretes adrenalin and noradrenaline into the blood | 1 |
Concludes that these hormones increase cell respiration, metabolism, or heat production | 1 |
Central sleep apnoea is a condition in which people stop breathing while they are asleep. The change in gas levels in the blood then activates a survival reflex that wakes the individual up (often many times a night) so that they resume breathing.
Describe how normal breathing rate is maintained and describe how a change in blood gas concentrations in a person with sleep apnoea would cause them to wake.
Reveal Answer
In normal breathing, the breathing rate is controlled by the respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata. Messages are sent from the respiratory centre via nerves, such as the phrenic and intercostal nerves, to stimulate the contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
In sleep apnoea, carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions would start to rise in the blood. This decrease in pH is detected by chemoreceptors in the aortic and carotid bodies. They stimulate the respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata, resulting in a sudden large breath, which is detected by the cerebral cortex causing them to wake up.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that normal breathing rate is controlled by the respiratory centre | 1 |
Identifies that the respiratory centre is in the medulla oblongata | 1 |
Explains that messages are sent from the respiratory centre via nerves, such as the phrenic and intercostal nerves | 1 |
States that these messages stimulate the contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles | 1 |
Explains that during sleep apnoea, carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions would start to rise in the blood | 1 |
States that the decrease in pH or increase in is detected by chemoreceptors | 1 |
Identifies that these chemoreceptors are in the aortic and carotid bodies | 1 |
Explains that they stimulate the respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata | 1 |
States that this results in a sudden large breath | 1 |
Concludes that this is detected by the cerebral cortex, causing them to wake up | 1 |
Chemoreceptors monitor the level of gases in the body and can be found in all areas
listed except the
carotid body.
aortic arch.
nose.
brain.
Reveal Answer
carotid body.
Peripheral chemoreceptors that monitor oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood are specifically located in the carotid bodies.
aortic arch.
The aortic arch contains peripheral chemoreceptors that detect changes in blood gas concentrations to help regulate respiration.
nose.
While the nose contains olfactory chemoreceptors for smell, it does not contain the chemoreceptors responsible for monitoring internal blood gas levels like oxygen and carbon dioxide.
brain.
Central chemoreceptors are located in the brain, specifically the medulla oblongata, where they monitor carbon dioxide and pH levels in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Rate and depth of breathing is regulated via the
medulla sending messages to the external intercostal muscles and diaphragm.
hypothalamus sending messages to the internal intercostal muscles and
diaphragm.
medulla sending messages to the internal intercostal muscles and diaphragm.
hypothalamus sending messages to the external intercostal muscles and
diaphragm.
Reveal Answer
medulla sending messages to the external intercostal muscles and diaphragm.
The medulla oblongata serves as the primary respiratory control center, sending nerve impulses to the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles to initiate normal inspiration.
hypothalamus sending messages to the internal intercostal muscles and
diaphragm.
The hypothalamus is not the primary respiratory center. Furthermore, internal intercostal muscles are involved in forced exhalation, not normal resting breathing.
medulla sending messages to the internal intercostal muscles and diaphragm.
Although the medulla regulates breathing, it signals the external intercostal muscles for normal inspiration, not the internal intercostal muscles which are used during forced exhalation.
hypothalamus sending messages to the external intercostal muscles and
diaphragm.
The primary control center for the rate and depth of breathing is the medulla oblongata, not the hypothalamus.
Which of the following statements concerning the regulation of blood gases is true?
The respiratory centre in the
hypothalamus detects the increase in blood pH and sends impulses to the respiratory muscles via efferent nerves.
medulla oblongata detects the decrease in blood pH and sends impulses to the respiratory muscles via efferent nerves.
medulla oblongata detects the increase in blood pH and sends impulses to the respiratory muscles via afferent nerves.
hypothalamus detects the decrease in blood pH and sends impulses to the respiratory muscles via afferent nerves.
Reveal Answer
hypothalamus detects the increase in blood pH and sends impulses to the respiratory muscles via efferent nerves.
The respiratory center is located in the medulla oblongata, not the hypothalamus. Furthermore, it is stimulated by a decrease in blood pH (due to increased ), not an increase.
medulla oblongata detects the decrease in blood pH and sends impulses to the respiratory muscles via efferent nerves.
The medulla oblongata contains the respiratory center, which detects a decrease in blood pH (caused by elevated ) and sends motor signals via efferent nerves to the respiratory muscles to increase the breathing rate.
medulla oblongata detects the increase in blood pH and sends impulses to the respiratory muscles via afferent nerves.
While the medulla oblongata is the correct location, it detects a decrease in blood pH, not an increase. Additionally, it sends signals to muscles via efferent (motor) nerves, not afferent (sensory) nerves.
hypothalamus detects the decrease in blood pH and sends impulses to the respiratory muscles via afferent nerves.
The respiratory center is located in the medulla oblongata, not the hypothalamus. Also, signals are sent to the respiratory muscles via efferent nerves, not afferent nerves.
During the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the cleanliness of the River Seine was of concern. High levels of the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) were detected in the river, presenting potential health risks for the athletes competing in the triathlon and open-water swimming events. Several athletes were treated for E. coli infections.
Contrast three features of bacteria and viruses.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
- Bacteria are unicellular and living, whereas viruses are non-living.
- Most bacteria are non-pathogenic, but all viruses are pathogenic.
- Bacteria contain DNA or DNA plasmids, whereas viruses contain DNA or RNA.
- Furthermore, bacteria are surrounded by a cell membrane or cell wall, whereas viruses are surrounded by a protein coat.
- Bacteria replicate independently, while viruses replicate within a host cell.
- Finally, bacteria are visible under a light microscope, whereas viruses are too small to be seen under a light microscope.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Any 3 of the following (2 marks each)
| 6 |
In addition to severe nausea, the unwell swimmers started feeling cold, shivering uncontrollably and were asking for blankets, despite the outside temperatures being warm.
Name and outline the physiological responses the swimmers' bodies were having to the infection.
Reveal Answer
The physiological response is a fever.
During a fever, pyrogens are released, and the hypothalamus resets the internal thermostat to a higher temperature. This causes shivering of skeletal muscles and vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels, so body temperature will increase. This helps to inhibit the growth or reproduction of pathogens, and macrophage activity is enhanced, which increases phagocytosis. Eventually the fever will break at the crisis point, causing sweating and vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels as the thermostat is reset to normal.
Name of physiological response
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies the physiological response as a fever | 1 |
Outline the physiological response
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
1 mark for each correct point (any 9 of): States that pyrogens are released; Describes that the hypothalamus resets the internal thermostat to a higher temperature; Identifies shivering of skeletal muscles; Identifies vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels; States that body temperature will increase; Explains that this inhibits the growth/reproduction of pathogens; Explains that macrophage activity is enhanced/increases phagocytosis; States that eventually the fever will break/reach a crisis point; Identifies that this causes sweating; Identifies vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels; States that the thermostat is reset to normal | 9 |
After swimming in the River Seine, Australian athletes were prescribed antibiotics to prevent an E. coli infection.
Antibiotics can be classified into two groups based on their mode of action. Name these two groups and outline how they fight bacterial infections.
Reveal Answer
Bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria by changing the structure of the cell wall or cell membrane, or by disrupting an essential enzyme.
Bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit growth or prevent reproduction by disrupting protein synthesis.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies bactericidal antibiotics | 1 |
Explains that bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria by changing the structure of the cell wall/cell membrane/disrupting an essential enzyme | 1 |
Identifies bacteriostatic antibiotics | 1 |
Explains that bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit growth/prevent reproduction by disrupting protein synthesis | 1 |
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. 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.
Explain how the following glands maintain blood glucose levels during fasting: ...
Outline how water-soluble hormones influence their target cells.
Reveal Answer
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.
| 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 |
... pancreas
Reveal Answer
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.
| 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 |
... adrenal glands
Reveal Answer
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.
| 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 |
Explain why a patient with Type 1 diabetes would not be prescribed the drug from the above scenario to manage their blood glucose levels.
Reveal Answer
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.
| 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 |