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a) Gestational diabetes can occur when a woman is pregnant - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 5
a) Gestational diabetes can occur when a woman is pregnant. The effects are the same as Type 2 diabetes. (i) Explain how gestational diabetes affects the blood of a... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:a) Gestational diabetes can occur when a woman is pregnant - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how gestational diabetes affects the blood of a pregnant woman.
Answer
Gestational diabetes affects the blood of a pregnant woman by causing elevated blood glucose levels. This happens because the insulin produced by the pancreas cannot effectively reduce these levels, as the cells in the body become resistant to insulin during pregnancy. Consequently, the body's ability to use insulin efficiently is impaired, leading to increased blood sugar levels.
Step 2
Describe the lifestyle changes that a doctor would suggest to control gestational diabetes without using medication.
Answer
To manage gestational diabetes without medication, a doctor may suggest several lifestyle changes, including:
- Reducing carbohydrate and sugar intake by following a low-sugar or carbohydrate-restricted diet to help control blood glucose levels.
- Increasing physical activity and exercise, which can aid in lowering blood glucose levels through improved insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health.
Step 3
The graph shows the insulin level of a person with a BMI over 30 and that of a person with a BMI of less than 20.
Answer
In analyzing the graph, it shows that:
- The person with a BMI greater than 30 experiences insulin levels that fluctuate but tends to maintain a higher average compared to the person with a BMI less than 20.
- The levels of insulin in the person with a higher BMI are generally much higher, indicating a difference in how their body regulates insulin in response to glucose fluctuations throughout the day.