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Insulin is produced by an endocrine gland and is transported in the blood - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 1
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Insulin is produced by an endocrine gland and is transported in the blood.
(a) (i) Which row shows the endocrine gland and the target organs for insulin?
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Worked Solution & Example Answer:1
Insulin is produced by an endocrine gland and is transported in the blood - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which row shows the endocrine gland and the target organs for insulin?
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Answer
The correct row is C: pancreas (endocrine gland) and liver and muscles (target organs). Insulin is produced in the pancreas and acts primarily on the liver and muscle tissues to regulate glucose metabolism.
Step 2
Which part of the blood transports insulin to its target organs?
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Answer
The correct answer is A: plasma. Plasma is the liquid component of blood that carries various substances, including hormones like insulin.
Step 3
Explain why the blood glucose concentration then decreases.
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Answer
After a meal, blood glucose concentration rises due to the intake of carbohydrates and sugars. This triggers the pancreas to release insulin, which facilitates the uptake of glucose by body tissues, especially muscle and liver cells. Consequently, as glucose is absorbed, the blood glucose concentration decreases.
Additionally, insulin promotes the storage of glucose in the liver as glycogen, further reducing glucose levels in the bloodstream.