AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should be able to extract information and interpret data from…
Full specification wording
Control of blood glucose concentration: Students should be able to extract information and interpret data from graphs that show the effect of insulin in blood glucose levels in both people with diabetes and people without diabetes.
After a meal, blood glucose rises and the pancreas releases insulin, which causes cells to take up glucose and the liver to store it as glycogen, so blood glucose falls.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 11 of 13
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
After a meal, blood glucose rises and the pancreas releases insulin, which causes cells to take up glucose and the liver to store it as glycogen, so blood glucose falls. A graph may plot blood glucose concentration against time for a person without diabetes and a person with diabetes. To extract information, read values from the axes, identify the starting level, the peak after eating, and the time taken to return towards the starting level. To interpret, compare the two curves: the person without diabetes usually shows a smaller rise and a quicker return, while a person with diabetes may show a larger or more prolonged rise. Link each feature to insulin action, such as reduced insulin production or reduced sensitivity.
What earns the marks
- Read blood glucose values accurately from the vertical axis at stated times.
- Identify the time of the peak and the time taken for blood glucose to return towards its starting value.
- Compare the curves for a person with diabetes and a person without diabetes using specific values.
- Link a slower fall in blood glucose to reduced insulin action or reduced insulin production.
- Describe the role of insulin in lowering blood glucose by promoting glucose uptake and glycogen storage.
- Use data to support a conclusion rather than describing the graph shape alone.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Reading the axes incorrectly, such as confusing units or misreading the scale.
Put it right by checking the axis label and the value of each major division before quoting numbers.
Describing the curve shape without quoting values.
Put it right by giving at least one time and one blood glucose concentration for each person.
Assuming the person with diabetes always has a higher value at every moment.
Put it right by comparing the actual plotted values at the stated times.
Exam tips
- Quote figures with units, for example mmol/dm³, and state the time they occur.
- Use comparative connectives such as higher than, lower than, faster and slower.
- Finish with a conclusion that links the data to insulin action in the body.
Try the lesson
The start of the Control of blood glucose concentration: Students should be able to extract information and interpret data from graphs that show the effect of insulin in blood glucose levels in both people with diabetes and people without diabetes. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
The bar graph shows blood glucose before and 30 minutes after an insulin injection. Each █ represents 1 mmol/dm³.
Person A before: ██████████ 10 Person A after: █████ 5 Person B before: ███████████ 11 Person B after: ██████████ 10
Which person shows the larger fall in blood glucose?
Listen
After a meal, blood glucose rises and the pancreas releases insulin, which causes cells to take up glucose and the liver to store it as glycogen, so blood glucose falls. A graph may plot blood glucose concentration against time for a person without diabetes and a person with diabetes. To extract information, read values from the axes, identify the starting level, the peak after eating, and the time taken to return towards the starting level. To interpret, compare the two curves: the person without diabetes usually shows a smaller rise and a quicker return, while a person with diabetes may show a larger or more prolonged rise. Link each feature to insulin action, such as reduced insulin production or reduced sensitivity. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Read blood glucose values accurately from the vertical axis at stated times. Identify the time of the peak and the time taken for blood glucose to return towards its starting value. Compare the curves for a person with diabetes and a person without diabetes using specific values. Link a slower fall in blood glucose to reduced insulin action or reduced insulin production. A common slip: Reading the axes incorrectly, such as confusing units or misreading the scale. Instead, checking the axis label and the value of each major division before quoting numbers. Exam tip: Quote figures with units, for example mmol/dm³, and state the time they occur.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Blood glucose regulation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Insulin action
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Blood glucose regulation
- After a meal, blood glucose rises and the pancreas releases insulin, which causes cells to take up glucose and the liver to store it as glycogen, so blood glucose falls.
- Insulin action
- Lowering blood glucose by promoting glucose uptake and glycogen storage, so a slower fall in blood glucose links to reduced insulin action or reduced insulin production.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Control of blood glucose concentration: Students should be able to extract information and interpret data from graphs that show the effect of insulin in blood glucose levels in both people with diabetes and people without diabetes.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge