OCR A Biology

14.1
Summary questions
1 Produce and secrete hormones (1); named example of gland and corresponding hormone e.g.,
adrenal gland and adrenaline (1).
2 Stimulus detected → gland stimulated → hormone secreted → travels in blood (plasma) → target
cell → binds to receptor/triggers response (2 max).
3 Neuronal communication (1); faster response needed to prevent damage / electrical impulses travel
faster than hormones in blood stream (1).
4 Detected by sympathetic nervous system (1); triggers the adrenal glands to secrete hormones (1);
from the adrenal medulla (1); named hormone – adrenaline / noradrenaline (1); effect of hormone on
body – raises heart rate / increases blood glucose concentration / widens air passages / narrows
blood vessels in non-essential organs / raises blood pressure (1); explanation of how hormonal effect
increases chance of survival e.g., increased rate of respiration / muscles are able to work harder /
longer (1).

14.2
Histology of the pancreas
Look for a clear well labelled scientific drawing, including scale and key features labelled.

Summary questions
1 Hormones are produced by endocrine tissue whereas substances such as enzymes are produced
by exocrine tissues (1).
2 Any two from: Lighter stained / appear whiter than surrounding tissue (1); larger cluster of cells (1);
when viewed under high power an acinus is visible / small groups of cells are visible surrounding a
duct (1).
3 Brown cells are beta cells (1); which produce insulin (1); found in islets of Langerhans (1); three
islets visible in slide (1); islets are endocrine tissue / secrete hormones (1); surrounding (blue) tissue
is exocrine / acini (1); which is exocrine / produces and secretes digestive enzymes (1) (max 6).

14.3
Summary questions
1 Negative feedback is feedback which causes any corrective measures to be reduced or switched
off, allowing the system to return to its original (normal) level (1).
2 Glucagon is responsible for increasing blood glucose concentration (1); binds to receptors on liver
cells (1); causes glycogenolysis (1).
3 Any four from: Glucose enters the cell via a glucose transporter (1); Glucose is metabolised / ATP
generated (1); ATP binds to potassium channels / potassium channels close (1); Cell becomes
depolarised (1); Calcium ion channels open (1); Calcium ions cause vesicles to release insulin /
exocytosis of secretory vesicles (1).
4 Any six from: Cause blood glucose concentration level to rise (1); rise in blood glucose
concentration is detected by β cells in islet of Langerhans (1); β cells release insulin into blood (1);
insulin binds to glycoprotein receptors / receptors on cell surface membrane (1); cells take up / absorb
more glucose (1); cell respiration rate increases (1); increases glycogenesis / conversion of glucose
into glycogen (1); results in a decrease in blood glucose concentration (1).

14.4
Type 2 diabetes

Look for evidence of a well thought out discussion amongst students – no right or wrong answers.
Students are thinking about their own opinions and perceptions about health, lifestyle, and healthcare.

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 OCR A Biology

Summary questions

1 Award one mark for each correct row (max 3)

Type 1 Type 2
Cause inability to produce insulin no insulin produced or
cells not responding
properly to insulin
When does it develop childhood later in life
Period of development fast slow

2 Answer must include (max 3): Blood glucose concentration varies throughout the day / as a result
of diet and exercise (1); correct example given e.g., increased exercise will cause blood glucose
concentration to decrease / eating carbohydrates will cause blood glucose concentration to increase
(1). Plus any one of the following: knowing the exact blood glucose concentration ensures the correct
dose of insulin is given (1); if a sufferer gives too low a dose they will remain hyperglycaemic, this can
result in death if left untreated (1); if a sufferer gives too high a dose they can become hypoglycaemic.
This can result in a coma/unconsciousness (1). Any other sensible suggestion.
3 Any three from: They are suffering from type 2 diabetes (1); their body cells do not respond to
insulin/not sensitive to insulin/cell surface receptors do not bind to insulin (1); cells do not take up
enough glucose from the blood (1); so blood glucose concentration remains high (1).
4 One mark awarded for each correctly stated advantage or disadvantage. Must include one
advantage and disadvantage for each treatment. Acceptable answers given here, but allow other
relevant answers. (6 marks max)
Insulin: Advantages – readily available, dose can be altered easily, cheap. Disadvantages – reliant on
drugs, side effects, person has to inject themselves.
Transplant: Advantages – permanent cure, no reliance on drugs. Disadvantages – could be rejected,
person’s immune system is permanently repressed, not enough donor organs available, person
becomes susceptible to infections.
Stem cells: Advantages – permanent cure, no reliance on drugs, no risk of rejection, stem cells readily
available. Disadvantages – technology not ready yet, embryos have to be destroyed, risk of tumours
developing.

14.5
Summary questions
1 Any two named responses with appropriate explanation (2 max). For example: Heart rate increase –
to pump oxygenated blood around the body (1); pupil dilation – to take in as much light as possible for
better vision (1).
2 Less blood in the skin to keep it warm, hence the skin feels cold (1); as the blood has been
redirected to muscles to aid movement/ability to run (1).
3 Any six from: Danger detected by the autonomic nervous system (1); hypothalamus triggers
sympathetic nervous system (1); nervous impulse triggers release of hormones from adrenal medulla
(1); adrenaline causes glycogenolysis in liver cells (1); credit detail of second messenger model (1);
increased blood glucose used for respiration/create energy for muscle contraction (1); other
appropriate hormone and response (1); pituitary gland stimulates the adrenal-cortical system (1);
hormones release from adrenal cortex (1).

14.6
Monitoring heart rate

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 OCR A Biology

1 Any four from: Resting pulse rate measured (1); by taking an average of several results (1); use of
data logging sensor e.g., pulse monitor to collect data (1); standardised exercise stated e.g., each
student performs 100 star jumps (1); pulse rate monitored during exercise (1); students allowed
resting time (e.g., 2 minutes) (1); pulse rate taken again (1); entire experiment repeated several times
(1).
2 The students needed a baseline measurement (1).
3 a 65.6 bpm (1)
3 b 5.79 (2); (1) for correct substitution.
4 a 𝑥𝑥̅1 = 65.6; 𝑥𝑥̅2 = 91.3 (1) Percentage increase = 39.2% (1)
b
Exercise
Resting heart 2
Rank heart Rank d d
rate / min
–1
rate / min
–1

57 2 84 1.5 0.5 0.25

64 4.5 89 4 0.5 0.25
54 1 84 1.5 –0.5 0.25
78 10 101 10 0 0
74 9 98 9 0 0
68 7 92 6 1 1
65 6 90 5 1 1
60 3 86 3 0 0
64 4.5 95 8 –3.5 12.25
72 8 94 7 1 1
(1) For each ranked column – max (2)
6∑ d 2
2
d = 16 (1); rs = 1 – (1); rs = 1 – ((6 × 16) / (10*99)) (1); rs = 0.903 (1).
n(n 2 – 1)

c df = 8 (1); r = 0.902 >> 0.794 therefore p<0.01, so 99% confidence (1).

Summary questions
1 One mark for each correct row (4)
Stimulus Receptor Nervous system Effect on heart
involved rate
high blood pressure baroreceptor parasympathetic decrease
low blood pressure baroreceptor sympathetic increase
low blood CO2 chemoreceptor parasympathetic decrease
concentration
high blood CO2 chemoreceptor sympathetic increase
concentration

2 Any two from: Stress (1); leads to release of adrenaline / noradrenaline (1); which increases the
frequency of impulses from SAN (1).
3 a Increased respiration leads to increased production of CO2 (1); CO2 dissolves in the blood to form
carbonic acid, which lowers blood pH (1).
3 b Any three from: Chemoreceptors detect decrease in blood pH (1); frequency of impulses sent to
medulla decrease (1); decrease in impulses sent to SAN (1); SAN decreases heart rate (1).

© Oxford University Press 2016 This resource sheet may have been changed from the original.