AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should be able to compare Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and explain…
Full specification wording
Control of blood glucose concentration: Students should be able to compare Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and explain how they can be treated.
Both types of diabetes produce high blood glucose, but their causes and treatments differ.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 10 of 13
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Both types of diabetes produce high blood glucose, but their causes and treatments differ. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, often because the insulin-secreting cells are damaged. Treatment involves injecting insulin, usually several times a day, and monitoring blood glucose and diet. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin but body cells respond less well to it. Treatment often begins with diet and exercise to reduce body mass and improve insulin sensitivity, and may include medicines that lower blood glucose. Some people with Type 2 diabetes eventually need insulin. Comparing the two means identifying the cause, typical age of onset, whether insulin is produced, and the main treatment approach.
What earns the marks
- State that Type 1 diabetes involves little or no insulin production by the pancreas.
- State that Type 2 diabetes involves body cells responding poorly to insulin while insulin is still produced.
- Describe insulin injection as a treatment for Type 1 diabetes, with blood glucose monitoring and dietary control.
- Describe diet, exercise and medicines as treatments for Type 2 diabetes, with insulin sometimes needed later.
- Compare the two types by cause, insulin production and usual treatment rather than describing each separately.
- Explain that treatment aims to keep blood glucose within a safe range and reduce complications.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying that people with Type 2 diabetes do not produce any insulin.
Put it right by stating that they produce insulin but cells respond less well to it.
Claiming that Type 1 diabetes can be cured by diet and exercise alone.
Put it right by explaining that insulin injection is needed because little or no insulin is produced.
Describing the two types without making a direct comparison.
Put it right by using comparative language such as whereas or unlike.
Exam tips
- Use a comparative structure, for example whereas Type 1 involves little insulin production, Type 2 involves reduced sensitivity.
- Name the treatment for each type and briefly state how it controls blood glucose.
- Avoid saying that either type is cured; describe treatments as managing blood glucose concentration.
Try the lesson
The start of the Control of blood glucose concentration: Students should be able to compare Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and explain how they can be treated. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which statement best describes the primary cause of Type 2 diabetes?
Listen
Both types of diabetes produce high blood glucose, but their causes and treatments differ. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, often because the insulin-secreting cells are damaged. Treatment involves injecting insulin, usually several times a day, and monitoring blood glucose and diet. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin but body cells respond less well to it. Treatment often begins with diet and exercise to reduce body mass and improve insulin sensitivity, and may include medicines that lower blood glucose. Some people with Type 2 diabetes eventually need insulin. Comparing the two means identifying the cause, typical age of onset, whether insulin is produced, and the main treatment approach. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that Type 1 diabetes involves little or no insulin production by the pancreas. State that Type 2 diabetes involves body cells responding poorly to insulin while insulin is still produced. Describe insulin injection as a treatment for Type 1 diabetes, with blood glucose monitoring and dietary control. Describe diet, exercise and medicines as treatments for Type 2 diabetes, with insulin sometimes needed later. A common slip: Saying that people with Type 2 diabetes do not produce any insulin. Instead, stating that they produce insulin but cells respond less well to it. Exam tip: Use a comparative structure, for example whereas Type 1 involves little insulin production, Type 2 involves reduced sensitivity.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Type 1 diabetes
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Type 2 diabetes
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Insulin injection
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Medicines
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See every definition
- Type 1 diabetes
- The pancreas produces little or no insulin, often because the insulin-secreting cells are damaged, so insulin is injected, usually several times a day.
- Type 2 diabetes
- The pancreas still produces insulin but body cells respond less well to it, and treatment often begins with diet and exercise to improve insulin sensitivity.
- Insulin injection
- A treatment for Type 1 diabetes, usually given several times a day, alongside monitoring blood glucose and diet.
- Medicines
- A treatment for Type 2 diabetes that may be used alongside diet and exercise to lower blood glucose.
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