After a meal rich in carbohydrates, the concentration of glucose in the small intestine changes - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 7 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 7
After a meal rich in carbohydrates, the concentration of glucose in the small intestine changes.
Table 3 shows the concentration of glucose at different distances a... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:After a meal rich in carbohydrates, the concentration of glucose in the small intestine changes - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 7 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
At what distance along the small intestine is the glucose concentration highest?
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The glucose concentration is highest at a distance of 300 cm along the small intestine.
Step 2
Use the data in Table 3 to plot a bar chart on Figure 11.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Draw the axes with the x-axis representing the distance along the small intestine (0-700 cm) and the y-axis representing the concentration of glucose (0-500 mol dm^-3).
Label the y-axis 'Concentration of Glucose (mol dm^-3)'.
Choose a suitable scale for the y-axis to clearly represent the data.
Plot the bars at the corresponding distances:
100 cm: 50 mol dm^-3
300 cm: 500 mol dm^-3
500 cm: 250 mol dm^-3
700 cm: 0 mol dm^-3.
Step 3
Describe how the concentration of glucose changes as distance increases along the small intestine.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The concentration of glucose initially increases from 50 mol dm^-3 at 100 cm to 500 mol dm^-3 at 300 cm.
After reaching this peak, the concentration then decreases from 500 mol dm^-3 at 300 cm to 0 mol dm^-3 at 700 cm.
Step 4
Explain why the concentration of glucose in the small intestine changes between 100 cm and 300 cm.
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Between 100 cm and 300 cm, carbohydrates are broken down or digested into sugars, leading to an increase in glucose concentration. This process is facilitated by enzymes such as carbohydrase or amylase.
Step 5
Explain why the concentration of glucose in the small intestine changes between 300 cm and 700 cm.
97%
117 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Between 300 cm and 700 cm, the concentration of glucose decreases as the glucose is absorbed into the blood. This absorption primarily occurs through active transport and some diffusion processes.