Maintaining internal environments: OCR GCSE Biology A questions

Every OCR GCSE Biology A exam question on B3.3 Maintaining internal environments, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 105 questions on Maintaining internal environments, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): The diagram shows a dog’s excretory system. Which labelled part is a kidney? A C D B Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): Which mechanism is used to control water balance in the human body? A Adjusting the glucose concentration of the urine B Altering the volume of urine produced C
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): The diagram shows a kidney tubule. What is the structure labelled X? X A Bowman’s capsule B Collecting duct C Glomerulus D Loop of Henle Your answer [1] Section
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a) (6 marks): Fig. 20.1 shows a jackrabbit. Jackrabbits are adapted to live in the desert where it can be cold at night and very hot during the day. Fig. 20.1 (a)* Explain ho
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b) (2 marks): Explain why it is important for the jackrabbit to maintain a constant temperature. [2]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Which mechanism is used to control water balance in the human body? A Adjusting the glucose concentration of the urine B Altering the volume of urine produced C
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): The diagram shows a kidney tubule. What is the structure labelled X? X A Bowman’s capsule B Collecting duct C Glomerulus D Loop of Henle Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): The diagram shows the structure of the skin. Surface of skin B C A D Artery Which structure vasodilates and vasoconstricts to control body temperature? Your ans
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a) (1 mark): Label the cortex region of the kidney on Fig. 21.1. [1]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(b) (2 marks): A horse produces approximately 650 ml of urine per hour. Calculate the volume of urine a horse produces in one day. Give your answer in litres. Volume of urine
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(c) (4 marks): Diabetes insipidus is a disease in horses that causes a reduction in the amount of ADH produced. Complete Fig. 21.2 to explain the effect of this disease on the
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(d) (1 mark): A horse owner suspects their horse has diabetes insipidus. Suggest one symptom, other than changes to urine, that the horse owner may observe. [1]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(a) (3 marks): Explain why an individual with diabetes has a higher percentage of haemoglobin with sugar attached than an individual who does not have diabetes. [3]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(b) (2 marks): Describe how an individual with type 2 diabetes could change their lifestyle to manage their diabetes. [2]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(c) (2 marks): Doctors use the HbA1c blood test to inform them about how well their patients are managing their diabetes. The doctor will give the patients an HbA1c blood test
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(d) (3 marks): In 2015 there were an estimated 31 500 children in the UK with diabetes. In 2019 this figure was estimated to be 36 000. Calculate the percentage increase in th
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(b) (2 marks): During the race, the athlete’s body temperature increases. Which of these responses will cool them down? Tick (3) two boxes. Response Hairs stand up Increases s
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(d)(i) (1 mark): Estimate what time the athlete ate the food. [1]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(d)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why eating food affects the athlete’s insulin levels. [2]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(e) (1 mark): Draw a line to connect the boxes that describe the urine produced by the athlete after the race. Draw only one line. High volume Very concentrated urine Low vol
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(f) (2 marks): A student records some data on the volume of urine produced by different athletes after the race. Each athlete’s urine is collected in a different measuring cyl
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which statement describes how the body responds to cold temperatures? A Shivering and vasoconstriction B Shivering and vasodilation C Sweating and vasoconstrict
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): Which substance in urine does the biuret test identify? A Glucose B Ions C Protein D Red blood cells Your answer [1]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Most people have two kidneys. The two kidneys filter 200 litres of blood every day. How much blood does one kidney filter per hour? A 0.417 litres B 8.33 litres
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): Alcohol reduces the release of ADH. Which statement describes the effect on urine from drinking alcohol? A Concentrated urine with a higher volume B Concentrate
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): A lizard cannot regulate its body temperature in the same ways as a human. Which method can a lizard use to increase its temperature? A Its blood vessels can co
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): Which statement about type 1 diabetes is correct? A It can be treated with insulin. B It is caused by overproduction of insulin. C It is usually detected later
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the region labelled A. [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name the region labelled B. [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which type of blood vessel brings blood to the kidney? Put a ring around the correct word. artery capillary vein [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the volume of urine that will be produced by this person on this day. Volume of urine = litres [2]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(b)(ii) (3 marks): The same person runs a marathon race the next day. Explain how the kidney will maintain the water balance within this person’s body during the race. [3]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a) (3 marks): The colour of a person’s urine changes depending on the concentration of their blood. Complete the sentences below to describe why a person will have urine that
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(b) (1 mark): Give one factor, other than lack of water intake, that could cause a person to have concentrated urine. [1]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(c) (2 marks): Nephritis is a condition where part of the kidney tubule becomes inflamed. The result of this is that proteins can enter the tubule and pass out in the urine. D
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(c) (3 marks): The graph shows the percentage of people with type 2 diabetes between 1996 and 2005. 6 5 4 People with 3 type 2 diabetes (%) 2 1 0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mean temperature of the ten people rescued. Give your answer to 1 decimal place. Mean temperature = °C [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(ii) (2 marks): If a person’s body temperature is below 35 °C, they are classed as hypothermic. What percentage of those rescued would be classed as hypothermic? Percentage hyp
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(iii) (3 marks): Describe how the body responds to hypothermia. [3]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(iv) (1 mark): The body needs to maintain a constant body temperature. Write down one other feature of the internal environment of the body that should be kept constant. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(i) (2 marks): The British Medical Journal is a peer-reviewed journal. Explain why scientists publish their results in peer-reviewed journals. [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the study did not include people with infections or severe illnesses. [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(iii) (1 mark): Give one reason why a study such as this should have a large sample size. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a) (1 mark): How many patients had diabetes in the UK in the year 2000? Number = million [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b) (2 marks): Calculate the difference between the number of patients with diabetes in the UK and the number with diabetes in USA for the year 2000. Number = million [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(c) (2 marks): Describe how the number of patients with diabetes has changed in both countries from 1980 to 2015. [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(d) (1 mark): The numbers presented in this graph may not be accurate. Suggest why. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(e) (2 marks): Diabetes can be Type 1 or Type 2. Describe two differences between the treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. 1 2 [2]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(c) (3 marks): In rare cases, hypothyroidism can lead to a condition called myxoedema coma. In this condition, the body’s temperature falls below 35 °C and the person becomes
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b) (4 marks): Allele (A) codes for the production of a protein called amyloid. Amyloid can block the blood vessels that leave the pancreas and the thyroid gland, preventing t
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): The diagram shows a section through a kidney. A B C D Which part A, B, C or D, is the ureter? [1] Your answer
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a) (1 mark): Insulin is a hormone that is important in controlling blood sugar levels. Which organ in the body produces insulin? [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(i) (1 mark): Which note in Table 19.1 indicates that the patient has type 1 diabetes and not type 2? [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(ii) (1 mark): Describe how the patient should be treated. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain how changes in blood sugar levels caused by diabetes affect the water potential of the blood. [2]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how surrounding cells will be affected by these changes in water potential in the blood. [2]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(d) (3 marks): Glucose may be found in the urine of people who have diabetes. This happens if their blood sugar levels are too high. The diagram shows a kidney tubule (nephron
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): A dialysis machine is shown in the diagram. The dialysis machine functions in a similar way to the kidney tubule (nephron). Dialysis fluid in B Vein Dialysis A
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): Which description identifies the effect of ADH on the collecting duct of the kidney tubule? A ADH decreases permeability to water, decreasing reabsorption. B AD
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): The graphs show the concentrations of three substances X, Y and Z in the blood after a high carbohydrate meal. One of the substances is glucose and the other tw
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(a) (2 marks): Explain why homeostasis is important for metabolism in humans. [2]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b)(i) (2 marks): In humans, the skin is involved in homeostasis. Changes of blood flow in the skin occur in colder environments. Describe two other changes that occur in the ski
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give one way that the structure of blood vessels allows them to change blood flow in the skin. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b)(iii) (2 marks): Raynaud’s disease produces a poor flow of blood to the skin. The thermograph image shows changes in temperature at the skin surface. °C 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(c) (2 marks): Thyroxine hormone levels in the body are maintained about a fixed point. Explain how variables in the body are maintained about a fixed point. [2]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(c)(i) (4 marks): Explain the changes shown by the graphs in Fig. 20.1 and Fig. 20.2. [4]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(c)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest what an athlete could do in advance to minimise the effect of these challenges during a desert marathon. [2]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(c)(ii) (6 marks): Fig. 20.1 shows a section through the skin on the back of the hand. Sweat pore Sensory receptor Capillary Sweat gland Fig. 20.1 (ii)* Look at Fig. 20.2 which sh
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a)(i) (1 mark): What does the graph show about the relationship between BMI and the mass of urea in the urine? [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a)(ii) (2 marks): A boy has a BMI of 16. He produces 1000 cm3 of urine in 24 hours. Calculate the concentration of urea in the boy’s urine. Concentration = g / cm3 [2]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a)(iii) (2 marks): Fig. 22.2 shows the mass of urea in the urine against the BMI for nine different boys. 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 Mass of urea in the urine 1.8 in 24 hours (g) 1.6 1.4 1.2
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b) (3 marks): The kidney filters the blood. The fluid produced by filtering the blood passes through kidney tubules. Each kidney tubule contains a number of different parts.
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c)(ii) (2 marks): Will using stevia in foods help people with type 2 diabetes? Explain your answer. [2]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): Short-term starvation affects the levels of blood glucose, liver glycogen and the hormones insulin and glucagon. Which line on the graph represents the level of
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a)(i) (1 mark): What does the graph show about the relationship between BMI and the mass of urea in the urine? [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a)(ii) (2 marks): A boy has a BMI of 16. He produces 1000 cm3 of urine in 24 hours. Calculate the concentration of urea in the boy’s urine. Concentration = g / cm3 [2]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a)(iii) (2 marks): Fig. 17.2 shows the mass of urea in the urine against the BMI for nine different boys. 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 Mass of urea in the urine 1.8 in 24 hours (g) 1.6 1.4 1.2
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b) (3 marks): The kidney filters the blood. The fluid produced by filtering the blood passes through kidney tubules. Each kidney tubule contains a number of different parts.
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(b)(ii) (2 marks): Alcohol inhibits ADH production. Person A and B both drank one small 100 ml drink. Only one of the drinks was high in alcohol. Look at the diagram of a kidney t
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(b)(iii) (2 marks): After the alcohol has been removed from person A’s body, control mechanisms will correct the excess loss of water caused by the alcohol. Describe these control
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): The diagrams show changes in the skin as a person moves from cold to warm conditions. cold conditions warm conditions blood vessel sweat glands Which processes
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): The graph shows changes to body temperature during temperature regulation. Which letter on the graph shows when shivering is occurring? B Body C A 37 temperatur
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a)(i) (1 mark): Diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are not controlled. Which hormone reduces blood sugar levels? [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a)(iii) (6 marks): (iii)* A glucose tolerance test can help identify if a person has diabetes. The graphs show a glucose tolerance test in three people A, B, and C. Key Hormone th
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b) (1 mark): Diabetes can often result in high levels of glucose in the urine. Which organ usually prevents glucose being lost from the blood when urine is made? [1]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): The diagram shows part of a kidney tubule (nephron). C A B D Which structure is the proximal convoluted tubule? Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): Urine produced after vigorous exercise is often much darker in colour than urine produced when at rest. Which reason explains why urine becomes darker in colour
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(b) (6 marks): Sodium ions help regulate the balance of water between the blood and body cells. In some people the level of sodium ions in the blood can become very low. This
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(c) (1 mark): Which hormone works with insulin to control blood sugar levels in the body? Tick (✓) one box. Gibberellin Glucagon Glucose Glycogen [1]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(d)(i) (1 mark): Which person has type 2 diabetes? Person [1]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(d)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the reasons for your choice in part (d)(i). [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): Which of these can be used to treat type 2 diabetes but not type 1? A Diet and exercise B Exercise only C Insulin and diet D Insulin, diet and exercise Your ans
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of part Y? [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which liquid flows through the ureter? [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(iii) (1 mark): Draw an arrow in the ureter showing the direction that this liquid flows. [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the total output for Patient A and Patient B. Patient A Patient B [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(ii) (2 marks): Which patient needs treatment for their kidneys? Explain the reasons for your choice. [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of part Z? [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c)(ii) (3 marks): The diagram shows the composition of glomerular filtrate and urine. Glomerular filtrate Urine Sodium Chloride Glucose Urea Others What conclusions can be made a
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): The graph shows blood glucose levels after eating a meal. C 150 140 130 B D 120 110 Blood glucose level 100 (mg per 100 ml) 90 80 A 70 60 50 0 1 2 3 4 5 Time af
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of part X? [1]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a)(ii) (1 mark): The hormone ADH affects the permeability of part of the kidney tubule. Name the part of the tubule affected by ADH. [1]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(b) (4 marks): The diagram shows the composition of glomerular filtrate and urine. Glomerular filtrate Urine Sodium chloride Glucose Urea Others What evidence is there to sugg
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(c) (6 marks): The diagram shows a kidney tubule (nephron). Glomerular filtrate passes down tubule Urine passes down the collecting duct X (c)* Sports drinks are usually one o
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(a) (3 marks): This question is about control and coordination. The diagrams show a section through the skin in two different conditions. Diagram A Diagram B Blood vessel Swea

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