Cambridge Biology for the IB Diploma

Extension worksheet – Option H

1 a Gastric juices are secreted as a result of stimuli and responses. State two stimuli that
initiate these responses. (2)

b Describe the role of each of the following in the control of digestive secretions.

i the nervous system (2)

ii the endocrine system (2)

c Explain what is meant by a ‘hormone’. (2)

d What is the main difference between an exocrine gland and an endocrine gland? (2)

e With reference to the production of ADH, explain what is meant by ‘negative feedback’.
(3)

2 The diagram below shows cells of the ileum that are concerned with absorption of digested
materials.

a What is the significance of:

i the folded membrane at the top of the cells

ii the large numbers of mitochondria in the cell

iii the tight junctions between the cells?

(3)

b List three ways in which materials may be taken into these cells. (3)

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Cambridge Biology for the IB Diploma

c The capillary at the bottom of the diagram receives absorbed nutrients. What larger
vessel does this capillary eventually become and what is the destination of the blood that
it carries? (2)

d Name three substances that are not absorbed by the intestine and leave the body in
faeces. (3)

3 At high altitude, a person may suffer headache, insomnia and nausea due to the low partial
pressure of oxygen in the air.

a Outline what is meant by the partial pressure of oxygen. (1)

b Several physiological changes occur after a person has spent time at high altitude. Below,
match each change in response to altitude with the approximate time for the adjustment
to occur, from the list that follows.

i increase in red blood cell production

ii increase in breathing

iii increase in capillary density

iv increased heart rate (4)

Approximate time taken for change

A several weeks
B a week
C a few minutes
D over a period of days
c Llamas, which live in the high Andes, have high blood cell counts and their red blood
cells live for far longer than those of humans. How does this adaptation help them
survive at altitude? (2)

d Llama hemoglobin collects and offloads oxygen more efficiently than human
hemoglobin. Sketch, on the same axes, the likely dissociation curves for human and
llama hemoglobin. (2)

e Why might an athlete choose to train at high altitude for an event that is held at sea level?
(2)

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