Question 19M.2.SL.TZ2.6c
| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 8] | Reference code | 19M.2.SL.TZ2.6c |
| Level | SL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | TZ2 |
| Command term | Discuss | Question number | c | Adapted from | N/A |
Discuss the control of blood glucose levels and the consequences if they are not maintained.
[8]
control: [6 max]
a. homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment ✔
b. the pancreas produces hormones that control the levels of glucose ✔
c. if glucose levels in blood are high, beta-cells «of the pancreas» produce insulin ✔
d. «insulin» causes the cells to take up /absorb glucose ✔
e. liver stores excess glucose as glycogen ✔
f. if glucose levels in blood are low, alpha-cells «of the pancreas» produce glucagon ✔
g. «glucagon» causes the liver to break down glycogen into glucose ✔
h. «glucagon» increase levels of glucose in the blood ✔
i. negative feedback controls the glucose levels ✔ OWTTE
consequences:
j. if the pancreas produces little/no insulin a person can develop type I diabetes ✔
k. a person with type I diabetes «usually» needs/is dependent on injections of insulin ✔
l. type II diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin/cells do not respond to insulin ✔
m. type II diabetes can «sometimes» be controlled by diet and exercise ✔
n. named consequence of having diabetes «eg: eye damage» ✔
Award [6 max] if no consequences are given.
Control of blood glucose levels. Weaker candidates tied themselves in knots trying to explain. Weak candidates also described insulin and glucagon as enzymes, not hormones. Other common mistakes were Alpha cells and Beta cells do not move, they just produce the hormones and glucagon and insulin do not have any direct effect on the glycogen molecules. The causes and treatment of type 2 diabetes were quite well known. A large number of students used the word ‘digest’ incorrectly, stating that glucose was ‘digested’ to glycogen.
