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BIOLOGY, M8 EQ-Bank 14

Glucose is a chemical that must be maintained at concentrations between 70 to 130 mg/dL in the blood in order for the body to function normally.

  1. Draw a diagram that illustrates how the body maintains blood glucose within this range.  (3 marks)

  2. Sketch a graph on the axes provided showing the expected blood glucose levels of both a healthy person and a diabetic person after consuming a fruit juice. On the same graph, show what would happen when the diabetic person injects themself with insulin 20 minutes after consuming the fruit juice.  (3 marks)
     
     

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a.  

 
b.

   

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a.  

 
b.

   

BIOLOGY, M8 2019 HSC 12 MC

The glucose tolerance test is used to investigate the control of glucose in the human body. Patients consume 75 g of glucose and their blood glucose is monitored.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the cells of the body do not respond adequately to insulin.

Which graph could represent the results of glucose tolerance tests in a non-diabetic person and a person with untreated Type 2 diabetes?
  

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`D`

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  • In a type 2 diabetic, glucose cannot be actively stored as glycogen as fast as a person with a functioning pancreases, leading to a build up of glucose in the bloodstream.
  • Graph D is the only graph that shows a type 2 diabetics BGL above that of a non-diabetic. 

`=>D`


Mean mark 55%.

BIOLOGY, M8 2020 HSC 31

  1. The levels of glucose, insulin and glucagon were measured in the plasma of 24 healthy adults at intervals over a 5-hour period. After 1 hour at rest the patients ate a large carbohydrate meal. The results are shown.

  2. Use the data provided to explain how blood glucose is controlled in the body.   (6 marks)

  3. Outline how in humans, maintenance of temperature is different to the way that glucose is controlled.   (3 marks)

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a.   Glucose Levels

  • Plasma levels within the first 60 minutes represent the resting glucose levels of the individuals.
  • After the 1 hour mark, the rise in glucose is a result of the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream from the gut after eating the carb rich meal.

Insulin Levels

  • Insulin is a hormone secreted by beta cells in the pancreas. It causes excess glucose in the bloodstream to be taken by the liver and stored as glycogen.
  • This can be seen when the insulin levels directly correlate to the amount of glucose in the body; glucose absorbed in the meal stimulates release of insulin.
  • The reduction in glucose by the insulin then causes insulin to also fall.

Glucagon Levels

  • Glucagon is a hormone secreted by alpha cells in the pancreas. It can almost be seen as the opposite of insulin, and forms the negative feedback loop responsible for controlling blood glucose. 
  • It causes glycogen stores in the liver to decompose into glucose and be absorbed by the bloodstream when blood glucose levels drop too low.
  • When glucose levels rise between the 1-2 hour mark, glucagon levels drop significantly, as the build up of glucose from the meal has meant that glycogen stores are not needed.
  • Gradually, as glucose levels drop, glucagon levels will increase as the glucose from the meal is depleted.

b.  Differences in temperature vs glucose maintenance

  • Temperature changes are detected by the hypothalamus and sensory neurons, but changes in blood glucose levels (BGL) are detected by the pancreas.
  • Responses are carried out by the nervous system when temperature changes are detected, but carried out by hormones when changes in BGL are detected.
Show Worked Solution

a.   Glucose Levels

  • Plasma levels within the first 60 minutes represent the resting glucose levels of the individuals.
  • After the 1 hour mark, the rise in glucose is a result of the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream from the gut after eating the carb rich meal.

Insulin Levels

  • Insulin is a hormone secreted by beta cells in the pancreas. It causes excess glucose in the bloodstream to be taken by the liver and stored as glycogen.
  • This can be seen when the insulin levels directly correlate to the amount of glucose in the body; glucose absorbed in the meal stimulates release of insulin.
  • The reduction in glucose by the insulin then causes insulin to also fall.

Glucagon Levels

  • Glucagon is a hormone secreted by alpha cells in the pancreas. It can almost be seen as the opposite of insulin, and forms the negative feedback loop responsible for controlling blood glucose. 
  • It causes glycogen stores in the liver to decompose into glucose and be absorbed by the bloodstream when blood glucose levels drop too low.
  • When glucose levels rise between the 1-2 hour mark, glucagon levels drop significantly, as the build up of glucose from the meal has meant that glycogen stores are not needed.
  • Gradually, as glucose levels drop, glucagon levels will increase as the glucose from the meal is depleted.

♦ Mean mark (a) 48%.

b.  Differences in temperature vs glucose maintenance

  • Temperature changes are detected by the hypothalamus and sensory neurons, but changes in blood glucose levels (BGL) are detected by the pancreas.
  • Responses are carried out by the nervous system when temperature changes are detected, but carried out by hormones when changes in BGL are detected.

♦♦ Mean mark (b) 36%.

BIOLOGY, M8 2021 HSC 5 MC

Glucose levels are maintained by the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Which statement best describes the changes in hormone levels of a healthy human soon after a high glucose meal?

  1. Insulin levels fall and glucagon levels rise.
  2. Insulin levels fall and glucagon levels fall.
  3. Insulin levels rise and glucagon levels fall.
  4. Insulin levels rise and glucagon levels rise.
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`C`

Show Worked Solution
  • High glucose meal, blood glucose levels rise.
  • Insulin levels rise to return blood glucose levels to normal range causing glucagon levels to fall.

`=>C`


Mean mark 53%.