AQA GCSE Biology

Insulin & diabetes

AQA GCSE Biology revision on Insulin & diabetes. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Biology 8461 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 25)

  1. Question 1

    Which organ detects a rise in blood glucose concentration and secretes the hormone insulin?

    • A) The liver cells
    • B) The pancreas gland
    • C) The adrenal cortex
    • D) The pituitary body
    Show answer

    Answer: The pancreas gland

    The pancreas acts as the control centre for blood glucose regulation. When it detects high blood glucose, it secretes insulin to help cells absorb glucose from the blood, effectively lowering the concentration back to a set point.

  2. Question 2

    What is the primary biological mechanism by which insulin reduces blood glucose levels in the body?

    • A) It triggers glucose uptake by liver cells
    • B) It promotes glucose conversion to glycogen
    • C) It stimulates active glucose excretion
    • D) It increases glucose filtration rate
    Show answer

    Answer: It promotes glucose conversion to glycogen

    While insulin does facilitate glucose uptake, its primary metabolic role in homeostasis is stimulating glycogenesis, where glucose molecules are bonded together to form the storage polysaccharide glycogen. This removes free glucose from the bloodstream, preventing hyperglycaemia.

  3. Question 3

    Which specific physiological condition results from the body cells failing to respond effectively to insulin?

    • A) Type 1 diabetes
    • B) Type 2 diabetes
    • C) Gestational flu
    • D) Hyperthyroidism
    Show answer

    Answer: Type 2 diabetes

    Hint: Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body's cells no longer respond properly to the insulin being produced. This is often linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of exercise, unlike Type 1 diabetes which is an autoimmune inability to produce insulin.

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