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Exam questions · Biology · Hormones and Reproduction

Adrenaline: Fight or Flight (Higher tier)

  • 6 exam questions
  • 18 marks
  • 9 quick checks
  1. 1 State [1 mark]

    State where adrenaline is produced.

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    Model answer

    In the adrenal glands.

    Mark scheme

    • Adrenal glands — 1 mark
  2. 2 State [2 marks]

    State two effects of adrenaline on the body.

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    Model answer

    Any two from: increased heart rate; increased blood pressure; increased blood flow to the muscles; the liver changes glycogen into glucose, so the blood sugar level rises.

    Mark scheme

    • First — 1 mark
    • Second — 1 mark
  3. 3 Explain [3 marks]

    Explain how an increased heart rate helps a person who is running away from danger.

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    Model answer

    A faster heart rate pumps more blood each minute. This delivers oxygen and glucose to the muscles more quickly, so that they can release more energy by aerobic respiration, and removes carbon dioxide faster.

    Mark scheme

    • More blood pumped each minute — 1 mark
    • More oxygen and glucose delivered to the muscles — 1 mark
    • More aerobic respiration, so more energy released — 1 mark
  4. 4 Explain [3 marks]

    Explain how adrenaline raises the level of glucose in the blood.

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    Model answer

    Adrenaline is carried in the blood to the liver, which is a target organ. It stimulates the liver to change the stored glycogen into glucose. The glucose is released into the blood, so the blood sugar level rises.

    Mark scheme

    • Carried to the liver — 1 mark
    • Liver changes glycogen into glucose — 1 mark
    • Glucose released into the blood — 1 mark
  5. 5 Calculate [3 marks]

    A person's heart rate is 64 beats per minute at rest, and 96 beats per minute after a shock. Calculate the percentage increase in the heart rate.

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    Model answer

    96 − 64 = 32. 32 ÷ 64 = 0.5. 0.5 × 100 = 50%.

    Mark scheme

    • Increase of 32 — 1 mark
    • Divided by 64 — 1 mark
    • 50% — 1 mark
  6. 6 Evaluate [6 marks]

    A student says that adrenaline is only useful when a person is in danger. Evaluate this statement.

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    Model answer

    Adrenaline is produced when there is a threat, and it prepares the body for fight or flight by increasing the heart rate, the blood pressure and the blood flow to the muscles, and by making the liver release glucose. This helps a person to escape from danger or to fight, so in this sense the statement is right. However, adrenaline is also released in other situations that are not dangerous, such as before a sports event or an exam, where the extra energy and the alertness may be useful, although the response may be unhelpful if the person feels anxious. Adrenaline is also used as a medicine, to treat anaphylaxis, where it raises the blood pressure and opens the airways. So the statement is true of its natural role, but adrenaline has other uses.

    Mark scheme

    • Prepares for fight or flight — 1 mark
    • Effects: heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow — 1 mark
    • Liver releases glucose — 1 mark
    • Released in other situations, such as before sport — 1 mark
    • Medical use such as anaphylaxis — 1 mark
    • A reasoned conclusion — 1 mark

Quick check

  1. 1

    Which gland produces adrenaline?

    1. AThyroid
    2. BAdrenal
    3. CPituitary
    4. DPancreas
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    B: Adrenal

    The adrenal glands.

  2. 2

    What does adrenaline do to the heart rate?

    1. AIncreases it
    2. BDecreases it
    3. CStops it
    4. DHas no effect
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    A: Increases it

    It increases it.

  3. 3

    What does adrenaline stimulate the liver to do?

    1. AMake insulin
    2. BMake bile
    3. CChange glycogen to glucose
    4. DBreak down urea
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    C: Change glycogen to glucose

    It changes glycogen into glucose.

  4. 4

    Why does adrenaline increase the blood flow to the muscles?

    1. ATo cool them down
    2. BTo make them smaller
    3. CTo remove adrenaline
    4. DTo deliver more oxygen and glucose
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    D: To deliver more oxygen and glucose

    To deliver more oxygen and glucose for aerobic respiration.

  5. 5

    What is meant by fight or flight?

    1. AA type of exercise
    2. BA response that prepares the body to fight or run away
    3. CA kind of sleep
    4. DA type of digestion
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    B: A response that prepares the body to fight or run away

    The body is prepared to fight a threat or to run away from it.

  6. 6

    How is adrenaline carried to its target organs?

    1. AIn the blood
    2. BIn neurones
    3. CIn the air
    4. DIn the lymph
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    A: In the blood

    In the blood.

  7. 7

    What happens to the blood sugar level when adrenaline is released?

    1. AIt falls
    2. BIt stays the same
    3. CIt rises
    4. DIt disappears
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    C: It rises

    It rises.

  8. 8

    A heart rate rose from 60 to 90 beats per minute. What is the percentage increase?

    1. A30%
    2. B33%
    3. C150%
    4. D50%
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    D: 50%

    \(30 \div 60 \times 100 = 50\%\).

  9. 9

    Which is a medical use of adrenaline?

    1. ATo lower blood sugar
    2. BTo treat anaphylaxis
    3. CTo treat a vitamin deficiency
    4. DTo replace thyroxine
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    B: To treat anaphylaxis

    To treat anaphylaxis, as it raises the blood pressure and opens the airways.