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Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment: AQA A‑Level Biology questions

Every AQA A-Level Biology exam question on 3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,383 questions

  1. Q02.1

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 02.1: What term is used to describe the maintenance of a stable internal environment? [1 mark]

  2. Q02.2

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 02.2: A high blood glucose concentration can cause dehydration of body cells. Explain why. Do not refer to ADH or the role of the kidneys in your answer. [2 marks]

  3. Q02.3

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 02.3: The hormone glucagon is involved in maintaining a stable blood glucose concentration. Which is not a result of the action of glucagon? Tick () one box. [1 mark

  4. Q02.4

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 02.4: Figure 1 shows one of the physiological systems involved in controlling blood pH. Figure 1 Use the information in Figure 1 to outline the principles of negative

  5. Q02.5

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 02.5: Vigorous exercise causes a change in blood pH and in the rate of ventilation. Use Figure 1 to describe and explain these changes. [2 marks]

  6. Q02.1

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 02.1: Table 1 shows four statements and the names of four parts of a nephron. Put a tick ( ) in each box where the statement is true for that part of the nephron. [2

  7. Q02.2

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 02.2: Protein is not normally present in the urine of a person. Explain why. [2 marks]

  8. Q02.3

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    5 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 02.3: Glomerular sclerosis (GS) is a type of kidney damage that can cause protein to be present in the urine. High-protein diets are linked to GS in adults. Scientist

  9. Q07.2

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    25 marks3.6.1 Stimuli, both internal and external, are detected and lead to a response3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 07.2: The importance of responses to changes in the internal and external environment of organisms. [25 marks]

  10. Q09.1

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 09.1: Give two reasons why a weight-loss programme could be used to treat type II diabetes but not type I diabetes. [2 marks] 1 2

  11. Q09.2

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    3 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 09.2: The design of this investigation helps to support the validity of any conclusions obtained. Suggest and explain three features of this investigation that justif

  12. Q09.3

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 09.3: Table 3 shows some of the scientists’ results. Table 3 Group P Group Q Percentage achieving diabetes remission 42.1 4.7 Percentage achieving weight loss ≥15 kg

  13. Q09.4

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    4 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 09.4: Use all the information to evaluate whether a weight-loss programme is an effective treatment for type II diabetes. [4 marks]

  14. Q06.1

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 06.1: Describe and explain how three features of the cells in the proximal convoluted tubule allow the rapid reabsorption of glucose into the blood. [3 marks] 1 2 3

  15. Q06.2

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 06.2: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) binds to V receptors found in cell-surface membranes in two parts of a nephron. Name the two parts of a nephron where V receptors are

  16. Q06.3

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 06.3: V receptors only bind with ADH. Suggest and explain why. [2 marks]

  17. Q06.4

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 06.4: A decrease in blood pressure stimulates the release of ADH. Give the location of the receptors that detect a decrease in blood pressure and explain how the rele

  18. Q08.1

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 08.1: Calculate how many grams of STZ should be injected into a rat with a mass of 230.45 g. Show your working. Give your answer in standard form. [2 marks] Answer g

  19. Q08.2

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 08.2: Suggest and explain why STZ was injected per unit of body mass. [1 mark]

  20. Q08.3

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    5 marks3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 08.3: The scientists concluded that group B rats could be used for studying type II diabetes in humans. Use all the information and your knowledge of type II diabetes
All 49 questions on Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q02.1 (1 mark): What term is used to describe the maintenance of a stable internal environment? [1 mark]
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q02.2 (2 marks): A high blood glucose concentration can cause dehydration of body cells. Explain why. Do not refer to ADH or the role of the kidneys in your answer. [2 marks]
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q02.3 (1 mark): The hormone glucagon is involved in maintaining a stable blood glucose concentration. Which is not a result of the action of glucagon? Tick () one box. [1 mark
  4. June 2025, Paper 2, Q02.4 (2 marks): Figure 1 shows one of the physiological systems involved in controlling blood pH. Figure 1 Use the information in Figure 1 to outline the principles of negative
  5. June 2025, Paper 2, Q02.5 (2 marks): Vigorous exercise causes a change in blood pH and in the rate of ventilation. Use Figure 1 to describe and explain these changes. [2 marks]
  6. June 2025, Paper 3, Q02.1 (2 marks): Table 1 shows four statements and the names of four parts of a nephron. Put a tick ( ) in each box where the statement is true for that part of the nephron. [2
  7. June 2025, Paper 3, Q02.2 (2 marks): Protein is not normally present in the urine of a person. Explain why. [2 marks]
  8. June 2025, Paper 3, Q02.3 (5 marks): Glomerular sclerosis (GS) is a type of kidney damage that can cause protein to be present in the urine. High-protein diets are linked to GS in adults. Scientist
  9. June 2025, Paper 3, Q07.2 (25 marks): The importance of responses to changes in the internal and external environment of organisms. [25 marks]
  10. June 2024, Paper 2, Q09.1 (2 marks): Give two reasons why a weight-loss programme could be used to treat type II diabetes but not type I diabetes. [2 marks] 1 2
  11. June 2024, Paper 2, Q09.2 (3 marks): The design of this investigation helps to support the validity of any conclusions obtained. Suggest and explain three features of this investigation that justif
  12. June 2024, Paper 2, Q09.3 (2 marks): Table 3 shows some of the scientists’ results. Table 3 Group P Group Q Percentage achieving diabetes remission 42.1 4.7 Percentage achieving weight loss ≥15 kg
  13. June 2024, Paper 2, Q09.4 (4 marks): Use all the information to evaluate whether a weight-loss programme is an effective treatment for type II diabetes. [4 marks]
  14. June 2023, Paper 2, Q06.1 (3 marks): Describe and explain how three features of the cells in the proximal convoluted tubule allow the rapid reabsorption of glucose into the blood. [3 marks] 1 2 3
  15. June 2023, Paper 2, Q06.2 (1 mark): Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) binds to V receptors found in cell-surface membranes in two parts of a nephron. Name the two parts of a nephron where V receptors are
  16. June 2023, Paper 2, Q06.3 (2 marks): V receptors only bind with ADH. Suggest and explain why. [2 marks]
  17. June 2023, Paper 2, Q06.4 (3 marks): A decrease in blood pressure stimulates the release of ADH. Give the location of the receptors that detect a decrease in blood pressure and explain how the rele
  18. June 2022, Paper 2, Q08.1 (2 marks): Calculate how many grams of STZ should be injected into a rat with a mass of 230.45 g. Show your working. Give your answer in standard form. [2 marks] Answer g
  19. June 2022, Paper 2, Q08.2 (1 mark): Suggest and explain why STZ was injected per unit of body mass. [1 mark]
  20. June 2022, Paper 2, Q08.3 (5 marks): The scientists concluded that group B rats could be used for studying type II diabetes in humans. Use all the information and your knowledge of type II diabetes
  21. June 2022, Paper 2, Q08.4 (2 marks): The scientists repeated the investigation using much higher doses of STZ. This led to destruction of pancreatic cells. The scientists concluded that these rats
  22. June 2022, Paper 2, Q09.1 (1 mark): Name the part of the body which releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) into the blood. [1 mark]
  23. June 2022, Paper 2, Q09.2 (2 marks): Alcohol decreases the release of ADH into the blood. Suggest two signs or symptoms which may result from a decrease in ADH. [2 marks] 1 2
  24. June 2022, Paper 2, Q09.3 (3 marks): Describe the effect of ADH on the collecting ducts in kidneys. [3 marks]
  25. November 2021, Paper 2, Q05.1 (2 marks): Neonatal diabetes is a disease that affects newly born children. The disease is caused by a change in the amino acid sequence of insulin. This change prevents i
  26. November 2021, Paper 2, Q05.2 (3 marks): A decrease in the activity of PI3K can cause type II diabetes. Use Figure 5 to explain why. [3 marks]
  27. November 2021, Paper 2, Q05.3 (3 marks): Using your knowledge of the kidney, explain why glucose is found in the urine of a person with untreated diabetes. [3 marks]
  28. November 2020, Paper 2, Q04.2 (4 marks): Use the information provided to describe how you could produce a calibration curve for creatinine. Do not include details on the use of glassware in your answer
  29. November 2020, Paper 2, Q04.3 (2 marks): Describe how you would determine the concentration of creatinine in a urine sample using your calibration curve. [2 marks]
  30. November 2020, Paper 2, Q08.1 (2 marks): Suggest how AS could cause proteinuria. [2 marks]
  31. June 2019, Paper 2, Q05.1 (2 marks): Describe the role of glucagon in gluconeogenesis. Do not include in your answer details on the second messenger model of glucagon action. [2 marks]
  32. June 2019, Paper 2, Q05.3 (2 marks): Explain how increasing a cell’s sensitivity to insulin will lower the blood glucose concentration. [2 marks]
  33. June 2019, Paper 2, Q05.4 (3 marks): Explain how inhibiting adenylate cyclase may help to lower the blood glucose concentration. [3 marks]
  34. June 2019, Paper 3, Q01.1 (3 marks): Describe how ultrafiltration occurs in a glomerulus. [3 marks]
  35. June 2019, Paper 3, Q01.2 (1 mark): Glucose and water are reabsorbed by the proximal convoluted tubule of a nephron. Put a tick () in the box next to the correct ways in which glucose and water a
  36. June 2019, Paper 3, Q01.3 (1 mark): The equation shows the relationship between urine concentration in arbitrary units (𝑦𝑦) and mean length of the loop of Henle in mm (𝑥𝑥). 𝑦𝑦 = 0.72𝑥𝑥 + 4 Calcula
  37. June 2019, Paper 3, Q01.4 (3 marks): Scientists investigated the relationship between the thickness of the kidney medulla of different species of mammals and the concentration of their urine. Figur
  38. June 2018, Paper 2, Q05.1 (2 marks): All the volunteers were given the same food for 3 days. Suggest and explain one reason why they were given the same food. [2 marks]
  39. June 2018, Paper 2, Q05.2 (2 marks): Using Table 1, what can you conclude about the effectiveness of furosemide and CVT in the removal of excess fluid from the body? [2 marks]
  40. June 2018, Paper 2, Q05.3 (1 mark): Furosemide is sometimes used to treat high blood pressure. Suggest how furosemide would cause a decrease in blood pressure. [1 mark]
  41. June 2018, Paper 2, Q05.4 (3 marks): Furosemide inhibits the absorption of sodium and chloride ions from the filtrate produced in the nephrons. Explain how furosemide causes an increase in the volu
  42. June 2018, Paper 2, Q05.5 (1 mark): The mean rate of flow of blood plasma is 60% of the mean rate of blood flow into the kidneys. How much greater is the flow of blood into the kidneys with furose
  43. June 2017, Paper 2, Q06.1 (2 marks): Each year, a few people with type I diabetes are given a pancreas transplant. Pancreas transplants are not used to treat people with type II diabetes. Give two
  44. June 2017, Paper 2, Q06.2 (1 mark): The pancreas produces the hormone insulin. Put a tick () in the box next to the statement which describes incorrectly the action of insulin. [1 mark] Activates
  45. Specimen, Paper 2, Q07.1 (1 mark): Osmoreceptors are specialised cells that respond to changes in the water potential of the blood. 7 Give the location of osmoreceptors in the body of a mammal. [
  46. Specimen, Paper 2, Q07.2 (2 marks): When a person is dehydrated, the cell volume of an osmoreceptor decreases. Explain why. [2 marks] 0 7 . 2
  47. Specimen, Paper 2, Q07.3 (4 marks): [ ]
  48. Specimen, Paper 2, Q07.4 (1 mark): Answer =
  49. Specimen, Paper 2, Q07.5 (1 mark): 1 2 8

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