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The principles and importance of homeostasis: OCR A‑Level Biology B questions

Every OCR A-Level Biology B exam question on 5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,889 questions

  1. Q29

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 29: Which statement about the methods of measuring core body temperature is correct? A Axillary measurements are most accurate because the thermometer placed under

  2. Q31(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    3 marks5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 31(b)(iii): The branches of the autonomic nervous system, Y and Z, are antagonistic. Using your knowledge and an appropriate example(s), explain how this feature helps to m

  3. Q18

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 18: Which of the following statements about the control of heart rate is/are correct? 1 Cardiovascular control centre is located in the medulla oblongata. 2 Parasym

  4. Q3(a)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    6 marks5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 3(a): Hypothyroidism is a condition in which a person produces lower concentrations of the hormone thyroxine than normal. Thyroxine affects metabolic rate and has a r

  5. Q24

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 24: Which option is not a feature of a homeostatic control system? A Feedback loop B Negative feedback C Positive feedback D Set point Your answer [1]

  6. Q25

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 25: A condition caused by the loss of a homeostatic control mechanism results in the following symptoms: • confusion • shallow breathing • shivering • weak pulse. W

  7. Q19

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 19: The thermoregulatory centre has a role in controlling body temperature. Which structure contains the thermoregulatory centre? A Adrenal gland B Hypothalamus C P

  8. Q20

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 20: Which statement explains how the release of thyroxine helps to raise body temperature in cold conditions? A It causes an increase in metabolic rate. B It causes

  9. Q34(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 34(a)(ii): The nerves seen on the diagram originate in cardiovascular centres in the brain. Name the structure in the brain where the cardiovascular centres are located. [

  10. Q34(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    6 marks5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 34(b): This is a diagram of the external structure of a mammalian heart. Vagus nerve Sympathetic nerve V W X (b)* Adrenaline has a role in controlling heart rate. Comp

  11. Q3(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 3(b)(i): Explain how the paramedic could obtain an accurate measurement of core body temperature. [2]

  12. Q3(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    6 marks5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 3(b)(ii): (ii)* The paramedic concluded that the man was suffering from hypothermia. Describe the biological processes that lead to hypothermia and the treatment for hypo

  13. Q3(c)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    3 marks5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 3(c)(i): Describe and explain the seasonal trends shown in the two graphs in Fig. 3.2. [3]

  14. Q3(c)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 3(c)(ii): Suggest why the proportion of inpatient hospital admissions was different for hypothermia and hyperthermia. [2]

  15. Q3(c)(iii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    3 marks5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 3(c)(iii): A student looked at the data for hyperthermia and concluded that this was evidence for climate change. Discuss the student’s conclusion. [3]

  16. Q14

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    No published mark scheme
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 14: A body temperature measurement is 37.6 ºC with an absolute uncertainty of 0.2 ºC. Which of the options, A to D, is the relative uncertainty for this temperature

  17. Q24

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    No published mark scheme
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 24: Which of the methods, A to D, is considered the least accurate method of measuring core body temperature? A axillary B oral C rectal D tympanic Your answer [1]

  18. Q1(b)(i)

    November 2020 · Paper 3

    2 marks5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 3, question 1(b)(i): Describe and explain the effect of Stage 2 on heart rate. [2]

  19. Q21

    June 2019 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 1, question 21: Heart rate is affected by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Which of the options, A to D, is an event that stimulates the accelerator nerve?

  20. Q32(a)

    June 2018 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 1, question 32(a): Iodine is required to produce thyroxine. Explain why a deficiency in iodine could cause weight gain. [1]
All 27 questions on The principles and importance of homeostasis, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q29 (1 mark): Which statement about the methods of measuring core body temperature is correct? A Axillary measurements are most accurate because the thermometer placed under
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q31(b)(iii) (3 marks): The branches of the autonomic nervous system, Y and Z, are antagonistic. Using your knowledge and an appropriate example(s), explain how this feature helps to m
  3. June 2024, Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): Which of the following statements about the control of heart rate is/are correct? 1 Cardiovascular control centre is located in the medulla oblongata. 2 Parasym
  4. June 2024, Paper 3, Q3(a) (6 marks): Hypothyroidism is a condition in which a person produces lower concentrations of the hormone thyroxine than normal. Thyroxine affects metabolic rate and has a r
  5. June 2023, Paper 1, Q24 (1 mark): Which option is not a feature of a homeostatic control system? A Feedback loop B Negative feedback C Positive feedback D Set point Your answer [1]
  6. June 2023, Paper 1, Q25 (1 mark): A condition caused by the loss of a homeostatic control mechanism results in the following symptoms: • confusion • shallow breathing • shivering • weak pulse. W
  7. June 2022, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): The thermoregulatory centre has a role in controlling body temperature. Which structure contains the thermoregulatory centre? A Adrenal gland B Hypothalamus C P
  8. June 2022, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Which statement explains how the release of thyroxine helps to raise body temperature in cold conditions? A It causes an increase in metabolic rate. B It causes
  9. June 2022, Paper 1, Q34(a)(ii) (1 mark): The nerves seen on the diagram originate in cardiovascular centres in the brain. Name the structure in the brain where the cardiovascular centres are located. [
  10. June 2022, Paper 1, Q34(b) (6 marks): This is a diagram of the external structure of a mammalian heart. Vagus nerve Sympathetic nerve V W X (b)* Adrenaline has a role in controlling heart rate. Comp
  11. November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the paramedic could obtain an accurate measurement of core body temperature. [2]
  12. November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (6 marks): (ii)* The paramedic concluded that the man was suffering from hypothermia. Describe the biological processes that lead to hypothermia and the treatment for hypo
  13. November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(c)(i) (3 marks): Describe and explain the seasonal trends shown in the two graphs in Fig. 3.2. [3]
  14. November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why the proportion of inpatient hospital admissions was different for hypothermia and hyperthermia. [2]
  15. November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(c)(iii) (3 marks): A student looked at the data for hyperthermia and concluded that this was evidence for climate change. Discuss the student’s conclusion. [3]
  16. November 2020, Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): A body temperature measurement is 37.6 ºC with an absolute uncertainty of 0.2 ºC. Which of the options, A to D, is the relative uncertainty for this temperature
  17. November 2020, Paper 1, Q24 (1 mark): Which of the methods, A to D, is considered the least accurate method of measuring core body temperature? A axillary B oral C rectal D tympanic Your answer [1]
  18. November 2020, Paper 3, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe and explain the effect of Stage 2 on heart rate. [2]
  19. June 2019, Paper 1, Q21 (1 mark): Heart rate is affected by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Which of the options, A to D, is an event that stimulates the accelerator nerve?
  20. June 2018, Paper 1, Q32(a) (1 mark): Iodine is required to produce thyroxine. Explain why a deficiency in iodine could cause weight gain. [1]
  21. June 2018, Paper 1, Q32(b)(i) (2 marks): Identify hormones X and Y. X Y [2]
  22. June 2018, Paper 1, Q32(b)(ii) (3 marks): Describe the general features of a negative feedback mechanism. [3]
  23. June 2018, Paper 1, Q32(c) (2 marks): Core body temperature is maintained between 36.5 °C and 37.5 °C. Describe and explain two physiological mechanisms that would be initiated following a decrease
  24. June 2018, Paper 1, Q32(d) (2 marks): Doctors often take temperature measurements from the skin surface, inside the ear or inside the mouth. Suggest why the ear provides a more accurate measurement
  25. June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the process by which the internal environment of an organism is kept within narrow limits. [1]
  26. June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (4 marks): A student made the following revision notes about the control of heart rate. Complete the student’s notes using the most appropriate word(s). ‘The resting heart
  27. June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Some doctors who study pain ask patients to give an estimate of the level of their pain by using a scale of 1 to 10. Explain why some researchers think that mea

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