Insulin resistance
What Insulin resistance means in Biology A-Level, as defined for OCR.
Definition of Insulin resistance
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Insulin resistance in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
Body cells become less responsive to insulin even though insulin is still produced, often linked to obesity and lifestyle.
Topics that use Insulin resistance
- Hormonal communication (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Adrenaline and fight-or-flight
- Blood glucose and salt balance
- Blood transport of hormones
- Endocrine signalling
- Exocrine versus endocrine organisation of the pancreas
- Glucagon and α cells
- Insulin and β cells
- Islets of Langerhans and their cell types
Using Insulin resistance in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Biology questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge