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5 (a) Gestational diabetes can occur when a woman is pregnant - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 5
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 blo... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:5 (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 body is unable to effectively lower blood glucose, particularly when levels are high. Additionally, the body's cells may become resistant to insulin, further complicating glucose management.
Step 2
Describe the lifestyle changes that a doctor would suggest to control gestational diabetes without using medication.
Answer
To control gestational diabetes, a doctor might suggest several lifestyle changes, including:
- Reducing carbohydrate intake: This helps to manage blood sugar levels by limiting the amount of glucose introduced into the bloodstream.
- Maintaining a low sugar diet: Eating foods with lower sugar content can also aid in moderating insulin spikes.
- Increasing exercise: Regular physical activity can assist in lowering blood glucose levels and improving the body’s response to insulin.
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
From the graph, it can be observed that:
- The insulin levels of a person with a BMI greater than 30 tend to fluctuate similarly to that of a person with a BMI less than 20, although the absolute levels may differ.
- The insulin levels in the individual with a higher BMI are typically much higher, correlating with greater insulin resistance that is common in individuals with obesity.