Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science · B7

Animal coordination, control and homeostasis

50 revision questions with answers for B7 Animal coordination, control and homeostasis in Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (spec 1SC0). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below. Not official Pearson material.

All 50 questions and answers

Question 1 · Spec B7.1
What is a hormone?
Answer:
A chemical messenger secreted by an endocrine gland and carried in blood to target cells or organs.
Question 2 · Spec B7.1
Why does a hormone affect some organs but not every organ?
Answer:
Only appropriate target cells have receptors that recognise and respond to it.
Question 3 · Spec B7.1
Where are the pituitary and thyroid glands?
Answer:
The pituitary is at the base of the brain; the thyroid is in the neck.
Question 4 · Spec B7.1
Where are the pancreas and adrenal glands?
Answer:
The pancreas is in the abdomen; the adrenal glands sit above the kidneys.
Question 5 · Spec B7.1
Which reproductive organs act as endocrine glands?
Answer:
The ovaries and testes, which secrete reproductive hormones into the blood.
Question 6 · Spec B7.1
How do hormonal and nervous signals generally differ in timing?
Answer:
Hormonal effects are usually slower and longer-lasting; nervous impulses usually produce faster, shorter responses.
Question 7 · Spec B7.2 · Higher only
Where is adrenaline produced, and when is it released?
Answer:
The adrenal glands release it during stress or fear, preparing fight or flight.
Question 8 · Spec B7.2 · Higher only
How does adrenaline affect the cardiovascular system?
Answer:
It increases heart rate, blood pressure and blood flow to muscles.
Question 9 · Spec B7.2 · Higher only
How does adrenaline raise blood glucose?
Answer:
It stimulates the liver to convert glycogen into glucose and release it into the blood.
Question 10 · Spec B7.2 · Higher only
Why do muscles benefit from adrenaline's effects?
Answer:
More oxygen and glucose reach them, supporting increased respiration and contraction.
Question 11 · Spec B7.3 · Higher only
What does thyroxine regulate?
Answer:
Metabolic rate: the rate of chemical reactions in the body.
Question 12 · Spec B7.3 · Higher only
What happens first when thyroxine concentration becomes too low?
Answer:
The hypothalamus releases more TRH.
Question 13 · Spec B7.3 · Higher only
What does TRH cause the pituitary gland to release?
Answer:
TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone.
Question 14 · Spec B7.3 · Higher only
How does TSH affect the thyroid?
Answer:
It stimulates thyroxine production and release.
Question 15 · Spec B7.3 · Higher only
How does normal thyroxine inhibit further stimulation?
Answer:
It inhibits TRH release and TSH production, reducing further thyroxine secretion.
Question 16 · Spec B7.3 · Higher only
Why is thyroxine regulation negative feedback?
Answer:
The response counteracts the original deviation and returns the concentration towards its normal range.
Question 17 · Spec B7.4
What happens during menstruation?
Answer:
The uterus lining breaks down and is shed if pregnancy has not occurred.
Question 18 · Spec B7.4
What happens to the uterus lining before ovulation?
Answer:
It repairs and thickens, preparing for possible implantation.
Question 19 · Spec B7.4
What is ovulation?
Answer:
Release of a mature egg from an ovary.
Question 20 · Spec B7.4
What is oestrogen's role in the uterus lining?
Answer:
It helps repair and build up the lining after menstruation.
Question 21 · Spec B7.4
What is progesterone's role in the uterus lining?
Answer:
It maintains the lining after ovulation.
Question 22 · Spec B7.4
What can falling progesterone cause if pregnancy does not occur?
Answer:
The lining is no longer maintained and menstruation follows.
Question 23 · Spec B7.5 · Higher only
What are FSH and LH produced by?
Answer:
The pituitary gland.
Question 24 · Spec B7.5 · Higher only
How do FSH and LH act on the ovary?
Answer:
FSH promotes egg maturation and oestrogen production; an LH surge triggers ovulation.
Question 25 · Spec B7.5 · Higher only
How does oestrogen interact with FSH and LH?
Answer:
It inhibits FSH and, at sufficiently high levels, helps trigger the LH surge.
Question 26 · Spec B7.5 · Higher only
How does progesterone affect FSH and LH?
Answer:
It inhibits their release, helping prevent another egg maturing and being released during that stage.
Question 27 · Spec B7.6
How can hormonal contraception prevent pregnancy?
Answer:
It alters menstrual hormone signalling, preventing ovulation or otherwise reducing the chance of fertilisation and pregnancy.
Question 28 · Spec B7.6
Why can inhibiting FSH prevent egg maturation?
Answer:
FSH normally stimulates maturation; less FSH reduces this stimulation.
Question 29 · Spec B7.7
How does barrier contraception work?
Answer:
It physically prevents sperm reaching an egg.
Question 30 · Spec B7.7
Give a benefit of condoms beyond preventing pregnancy.
Answer:
They reduce transmission of many sexually transmitted infections.
Question 31 · Spec B7.7
What should be compared when evaluating contraceptive methods?
Answer:
Effectiveness, side effects, convenience, duration, user preferences and protection against STIs.
Question 32 · Spec B7.8 · Higher only
What is clomifene therapy intended to do?
Answer:
Stimulate ovulation in people who do not ovulate regularly, increasing the chance of conception.
Question 33 · Spec B7.8 · Higher only
How can clomifene affect FSH and LH signalling?
Answer:
It reduces oestrogen's inhibitory effect on the hormonal control system, allowing increased stimulation of egg maturation and ovulation.
Question 34 · Spec B7.8 · Higher only
Outline IVF treatment.
Answer:
Stimulate egg maturation, collect eggs, fertilise them with sperm in the laboratory and transfer an early embryo to the uterus.
Question 35 · Spec B7.8 · Higher only
Give one benefit and two limitations of assisted reproductive technology.
Answer:
It offers a chance of pregnancy, but success is uncertain and treatment can be stressful; multiple pregnancy can increase risks.
Question 36 · Spec B7.9
What is homeostasis?
Answer:
Regulation of internal conditions within suitable limits despite internal or external changes.
Question 37 · Spec B7.9
Why is a stable internal environment important?
Answer:
Cells and enzymes function effectively only within suitable physical and chemical conditions.
Question 38 · Spec B7.9
Why must homeostatic responses continue throughout the day?
Answer:
Food intake, activity and external conditions continually alter the body's internal conditions.
Question 39 · Spec B7.13
Which organ releases insulin to control blood glucose?
Answer:
The pancreas.
Question 40 · Spec B7.13
How does insulin lower blood glucose?
Answer:
It promotes glucose uptake by cells and conversion of excess glucose into glycogen, especially in liver and muscle.
Question 41 · Spec B7.13
Why is glycogen useful for glucose control?
Answer:
It stores many glucose units without leaving them all dissolved in the blood.
Question 42 · Spec B7.14 · Higher only
How does glucagon raise blood glucose?
Answer:
It stimulates the liver to convert glycogen into glucose and release glucose into the blood.
Question 43 · Spec B7.14 · Higher only
How do insulin and glucagon work together?
Answer:
Insulin lowers high glucose and glucagon raises low glucose, opposing changes from the normal range.
Question 44 · Spec B7.15
What causes type 1 diabetes, and how is it controlled?
Answer:
Insufficient insulin production; insulin treatment, alongside monitoring and appropriate diet, helps control blood glucose.
Question 45 · Spec B7.16
What causes type 2 diabetes, and how can it be controlled?
Answer:
Cells respond poorly to insulin; diet, physical activity and weight management can help, sometimes with medicines.
Question 46 · Spec B7.17
How is high body mass related to type 2 diabetes?
Answer:
It is a risk factor associated with increased likelihood, but does not determine the outcome for every individual.
Question 47 · Spec B7.17
Calculate BMI for 90 kg and height 1.8 m.
Answer:
BMI = 90 / 1.8² = 27.8, to one decimal place.
Question 48 · Spec B7.17
Calculate waist:hip ratio for 96 cm and 108 cm.
Answer:
96 / 108 = 0.89, to two decimal places.
Question 49 · Spec B7.17
Why does correlation between BMI and diabetes not prove BMI is the only cause?
Answer:
Other variables, including genes, age and lifestyle, also influence risk.
Question 50 · Spec B7.17
Why should risk data be compared for similar population groups?
Answer:
Differences in age or other factors can confound the apparent relationship between body mass and diabetes.

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