Homeostasis and the kidney: Edexcel International A Level Biology questions

Every Edexcel International A Level Biology exam question on Homeostasis and the kidney (specification points 7.16–7.21), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 85 questions on Homeostasis and the kidney, as a list

January 2025, Unit 5, Q1(b) (3 marks): Excess proteins are broken down into amino acids. Describe what happens to these amino acids. (3)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): The afferent arteriole leading to the glomerulus is wider than the efferent arteriole leaving the glomerulus. Which describes the effect that this produces? (1)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): In each hour, the kidneys will filter 6 000 cm3 of blood. How much blood will be filtered in 24 hours? (1) A 124 dm3 B 144 cm3 C 144 dm3 D 1 440 cm3
January 2025, Unit 5, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the volume of urine produced in one day with an ADH concentration of 75%. Assume that the concentration of ADH stays constant throughout the day. Give
January 2025, Unit 5, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the effect of ADH concentration on the concentration of urine and the rate of urine production. (2)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q3(c) (3 marks): Explain how ADH affects the movement of water from the lumen of the collecting duct into the blood. (3)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q5(a) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term homeostasis. (1)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q5(b) (3 marks): The insulin concentration in blood is affected by many variables. The effect of exercise on the concentration of insulin in the blood of trained and untrained i
January 2025, Unit 5, Q5(d)(i) (1 mark): Give one reason why there is no bar on the graph for an insulin concentration at 0 pmol dm–3. (1)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q5(d)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how the investigation was designed so that error bars could be produced. (2)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q5(d)(iii) (1 mark): State how the error bars can be used to interpret the results of this investigation. (1)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q8(a) (1 mark): Give one reason why ‘optimal hydration’ is beneficial (paragraph 1). (1)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q8(c) (2 marks): Explain one reason why a ‘typical man’ has a larger daily requirement for water compared with a ‘typical woman’ (paragraph 9). (2)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q8(d) (5 marks): Explain how the sodium ion concentration in the blood is kept within a narrow range (paragraph 17). (5)
October 2024, Unit 5, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the type of process involved in maintaining calcium ion concentrations within this range. (1)
October 2024, Unit 5, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): The calcium ion concentration in the blood is kept within a range of 6% above and below the mean concentration. The mean calcium ion concentration in the blood
October 2024, Unit 5, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): When a human exercises, the metabolic rate is increased and heat energy is released. Describe how the body temperature of a human is maintained at 37°C during e
October 2024, Unit 5, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the volume of this Bowman’s capsule. Assume that this Bowman’s capsule is spherical. Use the equation: 4 π V r 3 3 Give your answer to two significant
October 2024, Unit 5, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Which is the specialised receptor that detects changes in the plasma solute concentration? (1) A baroreceptor B chemoreceptor C osmoreceptor D thermoreceptor
October 2024, Unit 5, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the plasma solute concentration of the blood needs to be kept within a narrow range. (1)
October 2024, Unit 5, Q6(c) (4 marks): Drinking too much water causes the plasma solute concentration to decrease and the blood volume to increase. Describe how the body responds to this change. (4)
October 2024, Unit 5, Q6(d)(i) (1 mark): Which method reabsorbs glucose from the proximal convoluted tubule into the blood? (1) A co‑transport with sodium ions B endocytosis C exocytosis D osmosis
October 2024, Unit 5, Q6(d)(ii) (2 marks): The Bowman’s capsule of a healthy kidney filters up to 7.5 g of glucose per hour. Calculate the rate of glucose filtration in milligrams per second. (2) Answer
June 2024, Unit 5, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Which labelled structure transports blood to the renal vein? (1) A Q B R C S D U
June 2024, Unit 5, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which labelled structures would be found in the medulla region of the kidney? (1) Structures A P Q U B R Q P C R S T D S T U
June 2024, Unit 5, Q7(a)(iii) (3 marks): The electron micrograph shows part of a cell lining the proximal convoluted tubule. structure A structure B (Source: © Jose Calvo/Science Photo Library) Explain
June 2024, Unit 5, Q7(b) (4 marks): A group of individuals gave a urine sample and then immediately drank 1 000 cm3 of water. Urine samples were then collected at 30-minute intervals. The volumes
June 2024, Unit 5, Q7(c) (3 marks): A person with hyponatraemia suffers from excessive production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the pituitary gland. This causes changes in the sodium ion conc
January 2024, Unit 5, Q7(a) (4 marks): The resting body temperature of a kangaroo rat is 37 °C. During exercise the body temperature is maintained between 38.5 °C and 40 °C. Explain how the body temp
January 2024, Unit 5, Q7(b) (3 marks): In mammals, urine is produced by ultrafiltration and the selective reabsorption of solutes and water. Kangaroo rats are adapted to survive on a diet of dry seed
January 2024, Unit 5, Q7(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the difference in urine produced over seven days by the kangaroo rat and by the human. Give your answer in standard form. (2) Answer
January 2024, Unit 5, Q7(c)(ii) (4 marks): Comment on the differences in water gain and water loss between the kangaroo rat and the human. Use your knowledge and information in the diagram to support and
January 2024, Unit 5, Q8(d) (2 marks): Insulin control of blood glucose is an example of a negative feedback loop (paragraph 7). Explain how negative feedback can maintain a system within a narrow li
January 2024, Unit 5, Q8(e) (2 marks): Suggest how insulin increases the uptake of glucose by muscle cells (paragraph 7). (2)
October 2023, Unit 5, Q7(c) (3 marks): The hypothalamus is involved in maintaining a steady internal temperature in the ostrich. Describe the role of the hypothalamus in maintaining a steady internal
June 2023, Unit 5, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Which substances are filtered from the blood in the Bowman’s (renal) capsule of a healthy individual? (1) A glucose and prothrombin B glucose and urea C glycoge
June 2023, Unit 5, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which part of the Bowman’s (renal) capsule prevents plasma proteins from being filtered out of the bloodstream? (1) A basement membrane B smooth muscle of the c
June 2023, Unit 5, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which transport mechanism is responsible for the uptake of glucose into the cells of the proximal tubule? (1) A endocytosis B exocytosis C osmosis D sodium co-t
June 2023, Unit 5, Q5(b) (4 marks): Describe how the loop of Henlé acts as a countercurrent multiplier. (4)
June 2023, Unit 5, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the ratio of the mean rate of urine production for the females in the three groups. Express your answer as nothing to drink : water to drink : salt so
June 2023, Unit 5, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two conclusions that can be drawn from the results of this investigation. (2)
June 2023, Unit 5, Q5(c)(iii) (2 marks): Explain the effect on the mean urine output of the group drinking water. (2)
January 2023, Unit 5, Q7(c) (6 marks): Negative feedback is involved in maintaining systems within narrow limits. The blood glucose concentration has to be maintained within narrow limits. Insulin an
October 2022, Unit 5, Q5(a) (1 mark): How many of the following adaptations enable a camel to reduce its water loss? • production of very concentrated urine • high glomerular filtration rate • long
October 2022, Unit 5, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the difference in the volume of water use in a day by a buffalo and a camel. Give your answer in dm3 to two significant figures. (2) Answer dm3
October 2022, Unit 5, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why there is no correlation between water use and mean mass for the species given in the table. (2)
October 2022, Unit 5, Q5(c) (3 marks): The kangaroo rat is another animal that lives in a hot, dry environment. In an investigation, kangaroo rats were given either fresh water, sea water or no water
October 2022, Unit 5, Q5(d) (2 marks): The kangaroo rat’s kidneys play an important role in the process of conserving water. Explain how the nephrons (kidney tubules) in the kidneys of the kangaroo r
October 2022, Unit 5, Q8(g) (2 marks): Suggest the role of TRPV1 in maintaining core body temperature (paragraph 9). (2)
June 2022, Unit 5, Q2(a)(i) (3 marks): Complete the diagram to show the Bowman’s capsule and label two structures in this diagram. (3)
June 2022, Unit 5, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which substances are normally filtered from the blood in the Bowman’s capsule? (1) A amylose and glucose B glucose and sodium chloride C potassium ions and haem
June 2022, Unit 5, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which row shows the route taken by a water molecule through a nephron in the kidney? (1) Route through a nephron A collecting duct proximal tubule distal tubule
June 2022, Unit 5, Q2(b) (3 marks): Describe how glucose reabsorption takes place in the nephron. (3)
June 2022, Unit 5, Q2(c) (1 mark): Urea is produced by the metabolic breakdown of some organic molecules. Which statement describes the production of urea? (1) A in the kidneys from excess amino
June 2022, Unit 5, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following produces ADH? (1) A adrenal gland B hypothalamus C medulla oblongata D pituitary gland
June 2022, Unit 5, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which structures does ADH act on? (1) A capillaries B collecting ducts C proximal tubules D ureters
June 2022, Unit 5, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): The control of plasma concentration and blood volume in the body is an example of which type of process? (1) A countercurrent multiplier B habituation C negativ
June 2022, Unit 5, Q3(a)(iv) (1 mark): Name the type of receptor in the body that detects changes in the plasma concentration. (1)
January 2022, Unit 5, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the location of a single Bowman’s capsule (renal capsule). cortex medulla pelvis (1)
January 2022, Unit 5, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Where in the kidney are most amino acids reabsorbed from the nephron? (1) A collecting duct B distal tubule C loop of Henle D proximal tubule
January 2022, Unit 5, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which row shows the correct pathway taken by a water molecule through the kidney nephron? (1) Route through nephron A collecting duct proximal tubule distal tub
January 2022, Unit 5, Q4(b) (4 marks): Explain how the loop of Henle acts as a countercurrent multiplier to produce concentrated urine. (4)
January 2022, Unit 5, Q4(c) (4 marks): Describe how ADH is involved in the control of the water potential of the blood. (4)
October 2021, Unit 5, Q1(c) (2 marks): The graph shows the rate of heat loss at rest and during exercise. Exercise started Rate of heat loss Time Comment on the rate of heat loss during exercise. (2)
October 2021, Unit 5, Q4(a) (2 marks): Feedback mechanisms are involved in maintaining homeostasis. Describe the difference between a negative feedback mechanism and a positive feedback mechanism. (2
October 2021, Unit 5, Q4(b) (1 mark): Which statement about the homeostasis of thermoregulation when the human body temperature is 37 °C is correct? (1) A thermoregulation is no longer required B th
October 2021, Unit 5, Q4(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain how small molecules like creatinine are filtered from the blood in the glomerulus. (3)
October 2021, Unit 5, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): In 15 hours, a person excreted 1960 mg of creatinine in the urine. Calculate the GFR for this person. Give your answer to 3 significant figures. (1) Answer
October 2021, Unit 5, Q4(d)(i) (3 marks): Comment on the results of this trial. (3)
October 2021, Unit 5, Q4(d)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the difference that surgery makes to the mean uptake of glucose in the non‑diabetic group and the type II diabetic group. (2) Answer
June 2021, Unit 5, Q4(a) (1 mark): Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is required for homeostasis. How many of these parts of the kidney respond to ADH? • Bowman’s capsule • collecting duct • loop of Hen
June 2021, Unit 5, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the process by which the fluid moves from the plasma into the renal tubule (nephron). (1)
June 2021, Unit 5, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Name the structures labelled S. (1)
June 2021, Unit 5, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): The diameter of the left renal vein of one individual was 4.71 mm. Calculate the cross-sectional area of this vein. (2) Answer mm2
June 2021, Unit 5, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): The cross-sectional area of the left renal vein of the second individual was 0.194 cm2. Calculate the difference in the cross-sectional area in the left renal v
June 2021, Unit 5, Q4(d) (3 marks): The table shows the concentration of glucose and urea in the blood plasma, glomerular filtrate and urine of an individual. Concentration Concentration in Concen
June 2021, Unit 5, Q4(e) (2 marks): An individual produced 0.83 cm3 of urine each minute. Calculate the volume of urine produced by this individual in 24 hours. Assume the urine production is at a
January 2021, Unit 5, Q3(c) (3 marks): Some seizures can result in an increase in body temperature. Suggest how a seizure in part of the brain could lead to an increase in body temperature. (3)
October 2020, Unit 5, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): In which part of the kidney are structures W and X located? (1) A cortex B inner medulla C outer medulla D renal pelvis
October 2020, Unit 5, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): In which structure does ultrafiltration take place? (1) A W B X C Y D Z
October 2020, Unit 5, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which structures form part of the loop of Henle? (1) A X only B X and Y C Y only D Y and Z
October 2020, Unit 5, Q2(b) (2 marks): Urea is a toxic substance that is excreted from the body. Explain how ultrafiltration removes urea from the blood. (2)
October 2020, Unit 5, Q2(c) (3 marks): The kidney controls blood volume and plasma concentration by regulating the loss of water in urine. Some mammals have adaptations to their kidneys that enable t
October 2020, Unit 5, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the rate of removal of ADH from the blood between 4 and 8 hours. (2) Answer
October 2020, Unit 5, Q3(b) (6 marks): Taking MDMA causes a person to be very thirsty. This can lead to swelling of the brain, which can be fatal. The table shows some laboratory results for one case

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