AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should be able to explain the roles of thyroxine and adrenaline…
Full specification wording
Negative feedback (HT only): Students should be able to explain the roles of thyroxine and adrenaline in the body.
Thyroxine and adrenaline are hormones that help the body respond to change.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 5
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Thyroxine and adrenaline are hormones that help the body respond to change. Thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland and controls the metabolic rate, so it affects how quickly cells release energy from food. Its level is controlled by negative feedback: if thyroxine is too low, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland stimulate the thyroid to release more; if it is too high, release is reduced. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands in times of fear or stress. It increases heart rate and boosts delivery of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles, preparing the body for ‘flight or fight’. Together they show how hormones maintain stable internal conditions and enable rapid responses.
What earns the marks
- State that thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland and controls the metabolic rate.
- Explain that thyroxine levels are controlled by negative feedback involving the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
- State that adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands in times of fear or stress.
- Explain that adrenaline increases heart rate and boosts delivery of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles.
- Link adrenaline to preparation for ‘flight or fight’ and thyroxine to long-term control of metabolism.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the glands: thyroxine comes from the thyroid gland, while adrenaline comes from the adrenal glands.
Put it right by naming each gland with its hormone.
Thinking adrenaline lowers heart rate.
Put it right by stating that adrenaline increases heart rate.
Describing thyroxine as a fast stress hormone.
Put it right by explaining that thyroxine controls metabolic rate and is regulated by negative feedback.
Exam tips
- Name the gland and the hormone together in every answer to avoid confusion.
- For thyroxine, mention negative feedback and the role of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
- For adrenaline, link the increased heart rate to faster delivery of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles.
Try the lesson
The start of the Negative feedback (HT only): Students should be able to explain the roles of thyroxine and adrenaline in the body. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Adrenaline is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. What is its primary role in the body?
Listen
Thyroxine and adrenaline are hormones that help the body respond to change. Thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland and controls the metabolic rate, so it affects how quickly cells release energy from food. Its level is controlled by negative feedback: if thyroxine is too low, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland stimulate the thyroid to release more; if it is too high, release is reduced. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands in times of fear or stress. It increases heart rate and boosts delivery of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles, preparing the body for ‘flight or fight’. Together they show how hormones maintain stable internal conditions and enable rapid responses. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland and controls the metabolic rate. Explain that thyroxine levels are controlled by negative feedback involving the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. State that adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands in times of fear or stress. Explain that adrenaline increases heart rate and boosts delivery of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles. A common slip: Confusing the glands: thyroxine comes from the thyroid gland, while adrenaline comes from the adrenal glands. Instead, naming each gland with its hormone. Exam tip: Name the gland and the hormone together in every answer to avoid confusion.
Key words
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Negative feedback
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Metabolic rate
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Response to stress
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Hormonal coordination
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See every definition
- Negative feedback
- A process in which if thyroxine is too low, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland stimulate the thyroid to release more, and if it is too high, release is reduced.
- Metabolic rate
- Something controlled by thyroxine, affecting how quickly cells release energy from food.
- Response to stress
- Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands in times of fear or stress, increasing heart rate and boosting delivery of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles.
- Hormonal coordination
- Hormones such as thyroxine and adrenaline help the body respond to change, maintain stable internal conditions and enable rapid responses.
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