I/GCSE Biology - Homeostasis (1)

In I/GCSE Biology, homeostasis is commonly asked in exam!

Homeostasis ➡️ The conditions inside the body must be controlled within narrow limits.

• These conditions include water content, ion content, body temperature and blood glucose concentration.

Make sure you can memorize the following points in I/GCSE Biology!

The thermoregulatory centre is the part of the brain that monitors and controls body temperature.

The pancreas

1. monitors and controls blood glucose concentration.
2. It produces a hormone called insulin that reduces blood glucose levels.
3. Diabetes is a disease which can be caused by insufficient insulin.

• Waste products must be removed from the body.
• If they are not, they will increase in concentration and may interfere with chemical reactions or damage cells.
• Waste products that must be removed include carbon dioxide and urea.

In I/GCSE Biology, it's important to memorize the following points as well!

• Water enters the body through food and drink.
• It is also a product of aerobic respiration in cells.
• If the amount of water in the body is wrong, cells can be damaged because too much water enters or leaves them.

You found out in your I/GCSE Biology 1 studies that the blood glucose concentration is controlled to provide cells with a constant supply of energy.

You might want to check your understanding of this by looking at the section in Bitesize AQA GCSE Science about Hormones!!!!

In I/GCSE Biology, it's a very common topic!

The pancreas

1. monitors and controls the concentration of glucose in the blood
2. produces a hormone called insulin. Insulin causes glucose to move from the blood into cells
3. lowers the blood glucose concentration if it has become too high

This can happen after eating a meal that is rich in carbohydrates (for example, sweets, potatoes, bread, rice or pasta).

In I/GCSE Biology, blood glucose level is usually asked with diabetes!

Diabetes ➡️ a disease where the concentration of glucose in the blood is not controlled properly by the body.

In type 1 diabetes,

• the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
• This can lead to high levels of glucose in the blood, which can be fatal.

And we're done with this topic! Well Done!

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Drafted by Alyssa (Biology)

References:

1. "Homeostasis", https://nitrocdn.com/BzukxzxIDWSkBjOuXIuFVkjjEriFmqlw/assets/static/optimized/rev-b8fe5f6/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/homeostasis-definition-768x432.jpg
2. "Excretion", https://i.pinimg.com/originals/44/49/8f/44498f0ea4b285f97e02c59c7f1e8f58.jpg
3. "Normal and Diabetic Blood Sugar Level Ranges", https://res.cloudinary.com/grohealth/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,h_650,q_auto,w_1085/$wpsize_!_cld_full!,w_1085,h_650,c_scale/v1581675809/DCUK/Content/iStock-1005715630
4. "Maintenance of blood glucose levels by glucagon and insulin", https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pia-Roeder/publication/297896821/figure/fig3/AS:341616100429835@1458459033819/Maintenance-of-blood-glucose-levels-by-glucagon-and-insulin-When-blood-glucose-levels.png
5. "Causes of Diabetes - What Causes Diabetes?", https://res.cloudinary.com/grohealth/image/upload/v1581695681/DCUK/Content/causes-of-diabetes.png