NAME ..............................................

IB DIPLOMA
BIOLOGY
TEST
ON
HOMEOSTASIS
There are 25 marks available for the 8 questions.

1.

Which of the following is closely associated with lowering of high body temperature?
A.

Constriction of blood vessels in the skin

B.

Vasodilation of blood vessels in the skin

C.

Increased shivering

D.

Decreased sweat production

(1)

2.

Which cells secrete insulin?

A.

-cells of the pancreas

B.

Cells of the liver

C.

-cells of the pancreas

D.

Epithelial cells of the intestine

(1)

3.

How do endocrine glands function when they are involved in homeostasis?

A.

They release hormones directly into the blood system.

B.

They release hormones through ducts to where they are used.

C.

They release digestive enzymes from the pancreas.

D.

They cause positive feedback in the bodys structures.

(1)

4.

In thermoregulation, what would happen over a short period of time in each of these areas, if a
person was placed in water at 15C ?
Peripheral circulation

Sweat glands

Liver

Skeletal muscle

A Increased blood flow

Increased secretion Decreased temperature

Decreased shivering

B Decreased blood flow

Decreased secretion Decreased temperature

Increased shivering

C Decreased blood flow

Increased secretion No change in temperature Increased shivering

D Decreased blood flow

Decreased secretion No change in temperature Increased shivering

(1)

5.

The diagram shows how the body regulates glucose levels in the blood.
G lu c o s e in c re a s e

X re le a s e d

G lu c o s e n o rm a l

Y re le a s e d

G lu c o s e d e c re a s e

What is Y?
A.

Amylase

B.

Insulin

C.

Glucagon

D.

Glycogen
(1)

6.
Intravenous nutrition is used in patients who cannot feed by mouth. Introducing
nutrients directly into veins bypasses the rate at which the digestive system absorbs them. Scientists
studied the effect of injecting six different glucose concentrations into rats. They measured the
glucose concentration in the urine per day and the glucose concentration in blood plasma per day.
These values were compared to control rats that received the same six glucose concentrations
through the mouth. The percentage of rats that died during the experiment (mortality) was
measured. The results for all control rats orally fed with six different glucose concentrations were
the same and are shown in the table below.
Urine glucose concentration /
3
mmol dm

Blood plasma glucose

3
concentration / mmol dm

Mortality / %

10

The results for the injected rats are shown in the line graph below.

(a)

State the mortality for rats when injected with 110 mmol dm glucose.

(1)

(b)
Estimate the difference in blood plasma glucose concentration between rats injected
with 145 mmol dm3 glucose and the blood plasma glucose concentration of control rats orally fed
145 mmol dm3 glucose.

(c)

(1)

Using the data, explain the conclusions that can be drawn about the ability of the rats to
regulate blood plasma glucose levels successfully.

(d)

(3)

Suggest reasons for the differences between rats that were injected and the rats that were
orally fed high levels of glucose concentrations.

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

7.
The effect of different types of meals before exercise was tested on metabolism and
performance for twelve competitive cyclists. The cyclists ingested either high fat or high
carbohydrate meals before the start of exercise.
The test consisted of:
1 hour of cycling at half peak power (pre-load)
followed by five 10 minute incremental increases in intensity (load)
and a 50 km time trial.

The concentration of various hormones in the blood plasma of the cyclists was measured. The
graphs on the next page indicate the change in insulin and glucagon levels before and during the
cycling test.
P re lo a d

In c re m e n ta l
te s t (lo a d )

50 km
tim e tria l

80
60
40
30
In s u lin c o n c e n tra tio n /
m U d m 3
(lo g s c a le )

20
15
10
5
K ey:

H ig h fa t
H ig h c a rb o h y d ra te

240
200
160

G lu c a g o n c o n c e n tra tio n /
n g d m 3
(lo g s c a le )

120
100
80
60
50
40
30
20
100

60

20

20
60
100
T e s t d u ra tio n / m in

140

160

[Source: Rowlands and Hopkins, International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism,
(2002), 12, page 318]

(a)

Describe the changes in insulin concentration during the course of the exercise period for those
cyclists who ate a high carbohydrate meal.

(2)

(b)

Compare the changes in insulin and glucagon concentration during the pre-load and
incremental test period.

(2)

(c)

Using the data provided, outline how the changes illustrate negative feedback of insulin
and glucagon.

(2)
(Total 6 marks)

8.

(a)

(i)

Define the term homeostasis.

(1)

(ii)

State which two systems are involved in the control of homeostasis.

1
2
(1)

(b)

Describe the roles of the kidney in homeostasis.

(2)

(c)

Using an example, explain the role of negative feedback in homeostasis.

(3)
(Total 7 marks)