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CAIE IGCSE Biology 14.4 Homeostasis Questions

Practise homeostasis questions on stable internal conditions, blood glucose control and temperature regulation through skin responses.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Biology 0610

Exam points

  • define homeostasis and explain how negative feedback reverses changes in an internal condition toward its set point
  • trace rising blood glucose to insulin release, liver uptake and glycogen formation, and interpret meal or exercise data
  • trace falling blood glucose to pancreatic glucagon and liver glycogen breakdown
  • outline Type 1 diabetes management using insulin delivery, monitoring, diet or activity
  • identify hairs, erector muscles, sweat glands, receptors, vessels and fatty tissue in skin diagrams
  • explain temperature responses through brain detection, sweating, shivering, insulation and surface blood-flow changes
  • interpret arteriole, shunt-vessel and capillary diagrams to predict heat-conserving or heat-losing blood-flow routes

Covered syllabus points

14.4.1—Homeostasis as the maintenance14.4.2—Insulin decreases blood glucose14.4.3—Concept of homeostatic control14.4.4—Control of blood glucose concentration14.4.5—Treatment of Type 1 diabetes14.4.6—Of the skin: hairs, hair erector14.4.7—Maintenance of a constant internal14.4.8—Maintenance of a constant internal

Question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

The kidneys filter blood, separate useful molecules from excretory wastes and control the water content of the blood.

Fig. 2.1 is a diagram of a kidney tubule and associated blood vessels. The arrows show the direction of blood flow.

Fig. 2.2 is a drawing of a vertical section through a cell from the lining of region 2 of the tubule.

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.2

Fig. 2.2

Question (a)

(a)

The kidneys are examples of organs that help the body to maintain a constant internal environment.

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

State the term for maintaining a constant internal environment by negative feedback.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Explain how negative feedback controls the blood glucose concentration of a person who has not eaten for a day.

[ 3 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 6]

Glucose is absorbed into the blood in the small intestine. Fig. 6.1 shows the human circulatory system and the pathway taken by molecules, such as glucose, when they travel in the blood.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

Question (a)

(a)

Insulin is a hormone that is secreted by the pancreas.

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Describe the role of insulin in the body.

[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Explain how blood flow in the skin helps to maintain a constant body temperature in very hot conditions.

[ 3 ]

Question 3

[Maximum number: 10]

Fig. 6.1 is a flow chart of some of the events that occur to maintain a constant body temperature.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

Question (a)

(a)

State the name of one effector shown in Fig. 6.1.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

State the name of the mechanism that controls homeostasis which is represented by the flowchart in Fig. 6.1.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Describe how shunt vessels in the skin function to help cool the body when the body temperature is high.

[ 3 ]

Question (d)

(d)

Describe how the sweat glands and the hair erector muscles function in mammals when the external environment is hot.

[ 3 ]

Question (e)

(e)

List two hormones that are involved in homeostasis.

1
2

[ 2 ]

Question 4

[Maximum number: 1]

The kidneys filter blood, separate useful molecules from excretory wastes and control the water content of the blood.

Fig. 2.1 is a diagram of a kidney tubule and associated blood vessels. The arrows show the direction of blood flow.

Fig. 2.2 is a drawing of a vertical section through a cell from the lining of region 2 of the tubule.

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.2

Fig. 2.2

The kidneys are examples of organs that help the body to maintain a constant internal environment.

State the term for maintaining a constant internal environment by negative feedback.

Question 5

[Maximum number: 3]

Glucose is absorbed into the blood in the small intestine. Fig. 6.1 shows the human circulatory system and the pathway taken by molecules, such as glucose, when they travel in the blood.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

Insulin is a hormone that is secreted by the pancreas.

Describe the role of insulin in the body.

Question 6

[Maximum number: 1]

Fig. 6.1 is a flow chart of some of the events that occur to maintain a constant body temperature.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

State the name of the mechanism that controls homeostasis which is represented by the flowchart in Fig. 6.1.

Question 7

[Maximum number: 2]

Fig. 6.1 shows the changes in glucose concentration of the blood.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

Question (a)

(a)

Name an organ that is responsible for the decrease in blood glucose concentration after B in Fig. 6.1.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Name the compound that is converted to glucose at C in Fig. 6.1.

[ 1 ]

Question 8

[Maximum number: 1]

Bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Fig. 6.1 shows a photomicrograph of a bacterium.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

Genetically modified bacteria can produce human insulin.

State the name of the disease that can be treated with insulin injections.

Question 9

[Maximum number: 1]

Fig. 1.2 shows the pressure of blood flowing through different blood vessels as it travels around the body. (Venules are narrow vessels that connect capillaries to veins.)

Fig. 1.2

Fig. 1.2

Blood vessels X in Fig. 1.2 supply blood to skin-surface capillaries and have a role in maintaining a constant internal temperature.

State the name of the blood vessels that are represented by the letter X in Fig. 1.2.

Question 10

[Maximum number: 3]

Fig. 6.1 is a flow chart of some of the events that occur to maintain a constant body temperature.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

Describe how shunt vessels in the skin function to help cool the body when the body temperature is high.

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