Hormones and the endocrine systemIB MYP Biology: Subtopic test

1. 1
   Rania is crossing a quiet road in Amman when a car swerves towards her. She jumps back onto the pavement. Her heart is pounding and her breathing is fast, and these effects continue for several minutes after the car has gone.

   (a)

   Which gland releases adrenaline?

   [1 mark]

   • APituitary gland
   • BPancreas
   • CAdrenal gland
   • DThyroid gland

   (b)

   What is the effect of adrenaline on Rania's body?

   [1 mark]

   • AIt lowers her heart rate to save energy
   • BIt increases her heart rate so more oxygen and glucose reach her muscles
   • CIt lowers her blood glucose concentration
   • DIt increases the volume of urine she makes

   (c)

   Explain why Rania's heart is still pounding several minutes after the danger has passed.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   After a large meal of rice and fruit, the blood glucose concentration of a healthy student rises. Within about two hours it has returned to its normal level.

   (a)

   Which gland produces insulin?

   [1 mark]

   • APancreas
   • BAdrenal gland
   • COvary
   • DPituitary gland

   (b)

   How does insulin travel from the gland to its target cells?

   [1 mark]

   • AAlong neurones as electrical impulses
   • BIn the air in the lungs
   • CThrough the digestive system in food
   • DIn the blood plasma

   (c)

   Explain how the body brings the blood glucose concentration back to normal after the meal.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A scientist records two responses in a volunteer. Response X is pulling a hand away from a hot object: it begins 0.05 seconds after the stimulus and is over in less than a second. Response Y follows a sudden fright: a hormone is released, the first effects appear after about 30 seconds and they last for around 10 minutes.

   (a)

   Identify which response is controlled by the nervous system and which by the hormonal system. Give two reasons.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Evaluate the statement that nervous control is better than hormonal control.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A youth football academy in Cairo trains in the afternoon heat. After a 90-minute session in which he sweated heavily and drank very little, a player named Karim passes only a small volume of dark urine. The academy is also deciding its policy on hormones, after hearing that some adult athletes take extra testosterone to increase their muscle mass.

   (a)

   Explain how the hormone ADH changes the urine Karim makes.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Discuss whether athletes should be allowed to take extra testosterone. Reach a justified conclusion.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions