Homeostasis and response topics sit mainly on Paper 2 and drive many biology GCSE questions on nerves, hormones, and blood glucose.

Overview: Biology GCSE questions types.

Typical formats

Reflex arc (diagram + sequence)

• Describe the pathway of a nervous impulse in a reflex action.

Receptor → sensory neurone → relay → motor → effector; mention spinal cord and synapse.

Hormone vs nerve (compare, 3–4 marks)

• Give two differences between hormonal and nervous coordination.

Speed, duration, target cells, chemical vs electrical—paired comparisons score well.

Blood glucose control (explain)

• Explain how insulin returns blood glucose to normal after a meal.

Pancreas, liver, glycogen, negative feedback—use terminology from the spec.

Kidney and ADH (Higher emphasis on some boards)

• Explain how ADH affects the volume of urine produced when you are dehydrated.

Water reabsorption in collecting duct; more ADH → more reabsorption → less urine.

Plant hormones (if on your spec)

• Describe how auxin causes phototropism in shoots.

Uneven distribution, cell elongation, light direction.

FAQ

Are diabetes case studies common?

Often—practice Type 1 vs Type 2 differences without mixing causes.

Higher tier questions →

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