Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ___/52

G12 Biology: Class 7 Homework

1. Suppose you are about to skydive out of a plane that is 3000m above the ground. Which
endocrine gland is likely releasing hormones at the moment you step out the plane door?
Explain your reasoning. [3 marks]

The adrenal medulla gland produces epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones
regulate a short-term stress response. They trigger an increase in breathing rate, heart rate,
blood pressure, blood flow to the heart and muscles, and the conversion of glycogen to
glucose in the liver.

2. Suppose you wake up late and skip breakfast in order to get to school on time. How would
your pancreas enable you to have enough energy to get through the morning until lunch?
[3 marks]

Skipping meals can cause blood glucose level to drop. Low blood levels stimulate the alpha
cells to release glucagon, which stimulates the liver to convert glycogen back into glucose to
be released into the blood. As a result (Negative feedback) blood glucose level is maintained.

3. Identify which glands secrete the following hormones and explain what the effects the
hormone has on target cells: [10 marks]

a. Thyroxine
Thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland. it is responsible for increasing the rate of
metabolism( Stimulates heart, skeletal muscle, liver and kidneys to increase the rate of
cellular respiration)

b. Cortisol
Cortisol is produced by the Adrenal glands ( Adrenal Cortex) which Raises blood glucose
levels by increasing the breakdown of muscle protein into amino acid. Liver uses the amino
acids to make glucose. Cortisol is also used to break down fat cells.

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ___/52

c. Human Growth Hormone

hGH is produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for stimulating the liver to make
growth factors which can increase protein synthesis, cell division, growth of cartilage, bone
and muscle and metabolic breakdown of fats stored in adipose tissue

d. Insulin
Insulin is produced from pancreas Beta cells in order to make target cells more permeable to
glucose. Muscle cells for usage and Liver cells for storage as glycogen (lowers blood glucose
level)

e. Glucagon
Glucagon is produced by the pancreas alpha cells to convert glycogen back into glucose to be
released into the blood (raises blood glucose level)

4. Infer why steroid hormones can enter a cell easier but usually takes longer to have an effect
than water-soluble hormones. [2 marks]
The reason steroid hormones can easily enter a cell is that they are Lipid-based and can easily
diffuse across the lipid bilayer and bind to receptors inside the cell. the reason it takes longer for
them to have an effect than water soluble water is that they turn genes on or off and it takes time
for gene products to build up or become depleted

5. What is a tropic hormone? Provide an example. [3 marks]

Tropic hormones are hormones that target endocrine glands and stimulate them to release other
hormones; from the hypothalamus. For example, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
(TSH)(stimulates the thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormone)

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ___/52

6. Compare how cortisol, epinephrine, insulin and glucagon affect blood glucose levels.
[4 marks]

- Cristol Raises blood glucose levels by increasing the breakdown of muscle protein into
amino acid Liver uses the amino acids to make glucose.

- Epinephrine raises blood glucose level by increasing metabolic activities .

- Insulin acts on target cells to make it more permeable to glucose as a result blood glucose
level decreases.

- stimulates the liver to convert glycogen back into glucose to be released into the blood as
a result increases blood glucose level

7. Use an example to explain how the nervous system and endocrine systems work together to
regulate a response in the body. [3 marks]
For example, in the breastfeeding process a baby's suckling initiates a sensory message in the
mother’s neurons that travel to the hypothalamus after that pituitary releases oxytocin which
travels to the mammary glands to secrete milk.

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ___/52

8. Suppose a scientist has discovered a new hormone. It is not clear what gland produces the
hormone but people who produce above average amounts of this hormone also produce
very high levels of insulin. Based on your knowledge of how tropic hormones function,
provide a possible explanation for the observation. [2 marks]

Tropic hormones are hormones that target endocrine glands and stimulates them to
release other hormones. If we see a rise in the level of insulin we can guess that the new hormone
is responsible for having a Tropic Effect on the Pancreas(The new hormone may be acting as a
tropic hormone that stimulates the pancreas to produce and release insulin.) This would mean
that individuals who produce above-average amounts of the new hormone experience an
increased stimulation of the pancreatic beta cells, leading to higher insulin synthesis and release.

9. Compare and contrast posterior pituitary gland and anterior pituitary gland. [3 marks]

The posterior and anterior pituitary glands differ in terms of their hormone production, control
mechanisms, connection to the hypothalamus, and functions in the body. The posterior pituitary
stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus, while the anterior pituitary
synthesizes and releases its own hormones under the control of hypothalamic releasing and
inhibiting hormones.(GH,PRL,FSH,LH,TSH,ACTH)

10. Compare and contrast gigantism and acromegaly. [3 marks]

Gigantism is a result of the pituitary gland secreting excessive amounts of hGH during
childhood. However, Acromology takes place when a person reaches adulthood and skeletal
growth is completed but overproduction of hGH leads to acromegaly.

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ___/52

11. Osteoporosis is a disease that results from a loss of bone mass, causing bones to become
brittle and break more easily. Infer why calcitonin is given as a treatment for people with
osteoporosis. [2 marks]

Calcitonin is responsible for regulating calcium levels in blood. Calcium is essential for
healthy teeth and skeletal development, blood clotting, nerve conduction, and muscle
contraction.Therefore calcitonin preserves or increases bone mineral density and reduces the
risk of vertebral fractures in osteoporosis. As a result, it inhibits bone resorption, resulting in
increased bone mass.

12. If the parathyroid glands secrete too much parathyroid hormone (PTH), a condition called
hyperparathyroidism results.

a) Predict the effects that hyperparathyroidism would have on the body. [2 marks]
Increased Blood Calcium Levels, Bone Resorption, Kidney Effects (such as kidney
stones), Gastrointestinal Effects.

b) Infer the types of tests a doctor may perform to diagnose a patient with
hyperparathyroidism. [2 marks]
routine blood tests measuring the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and related
minerals Urine Tests can also be helpful

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ___/52

13. What type of condition can result if an adult is iodine deficient? Describe the symptoms of
this condition. [4 marks]

Iodine deficiency can result in hypothyroidism. The symptoms of hypothyroidism in adults

include Fatigue, Slow pulse rate, Puffy skin Hair loss and weight gain. Goitre(enlargement of the
thyroid) is also another condition caused by insufficient iodine. The main symptom of a goitre is
swelling at the front of the neck.

14. Use the following table to answer the questions. The data was collected from a female
subject for over 40 years. Results were always collected 3h after a main meal.

Daily Blood Glucose Concentrations over 40 Years

Age Average daily blood glucose
concentration (mmol/L)
a 10 4.5
20 5.0
30 6.5
40 8.0
50 16.5
a. Why were the readings always taken 3h after the main meal of the day? [1 mark]

The reading should either taken in fasting that is early in the morning without breakfast.

The reading should either taken in fasting that is early in the morning without breakfast.The
reading should be below 100(5.5mmol/l) or near 90.mg/dl After fasting the next reading should
always taken after 2-3 hrs after having meal to check how much blood sugar has increased after
calories intake.which should be below 6.66mmol/l

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ___/52

b. The concentrations given are averages of 10 readings taken over one month. Why are
averages given instead of raw data? [2 marks]
When we calculate a particular sample of different numbers and age groups. The raw data of
blood sugar which changes on a daily basis for the whole month .That would be difficult to
calculate. But an average makes it easy.Thats why an average value is mentioned here.

c. What has happened to the person’s blood glucose concentrations over the course of the
40-year study? [1 mark]
Based on the provided data, it appears that the person's blood glucose concentrations have
increased over the course of the 40-year study. Which crosses the boarder line of 140 mg/l after
the meal.High value of blood sugar indicates the diabetes started in the patient

d. What condition is associated with the woman’s symptoms? What causes this condition?
[2 marks]
The symptoms of increased blood glucose concentrations, especially at age 50 (16.5 mmol/L),
are indicative of a potential issue with glucose metabolism and may be associated with diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose due to
the body's inability to produce enough insulin or effectively use insulin.