Control of blood glucose concentration — AQA GCSE Biology
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Control of blood glucose concentration explained
A risk factor raises the chance that a condition develops; it is not a guaranteed cause.
Read the full explanation
Obesity means carrying excess body fat, often indicated by a high body mass index. In Type 2 diabetes, body cells respond poorly to insulin, so blood glucose stays too high. Excess fat tissue is linked to reduced insulin sensitivity, so the pancreas must release more insulin to have the same effect. Over time, this added demand can contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes. For example, a person with a high BMI who eats an energy-rich diet and takes little exercise has a greater risk than someone of healthy mass who is physically active. Genetics and age also affect risk, so obesity is one factor among several.
Your focus
- Define obesity and explain why it is described as a risk factor.
- Describe how excess body fat is linked to reduced insulin sensitivity and Type 2 diabetes.
- Evaluate simple data to compare the risk of Type 2 diabetes in people with different body mass indices.
Control of blood glucose concentration exam tips
Marking Points
- State that a risk factor increases the probability of developing a condition rather than guaranteeing it.
- Define obesity as excess body fat, commonly assessed using body mass index.
- Explain that in Type 2 diabetes body cells respond less well to insulin, so blood glucose remains too high.
- Link excess fat tissue to reduced insulin sensitivity and a greater demand for insulin secretion.
- Recognise that obesity is one risk factor among others, including genetic and lifestyle factors.
- Apply the idea to a named example, such as comparing two people with different body mass indices and activity levels.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use the phrase risk factor and explain what it means in terms of probability.
- 💡Link obesity to reduced insulin sensitivity rather than simply stating that sugar causes diabetes.
- 💡If a question supplies data about BMI or activity, quote a relevant value and compare groups explicitly.
Common Mistakes
- Treating obesity as a direct cause of Type 2 diabetes; correct this by describing it as a risk factor that raises the chance of developing the condition.
- Confusing Type 2 diabetes with Type 1 diabetes; correct this by stating that Type 2 involves reduced responsiveness to insulin, whereas Type 1 involves insufficient insulin production.
- Assuming only diet matters; correct this by including body fat, physical activity and genetic factors as influences on risk.