Biology Matters G.C.E.

'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Homeostasis

Test Yourself 12.1 (page 246)

1. When blood glucose concentration rises above normal level, the islets of Langerhans in
the pancreas are stimulated to release more insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin is
transported to the liver and muscles. Insulin:
– increases the permeability of cell membranes to glucose, thus increasing the rate of
glucose uptake by cells;
– stimulates the conversion of glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver and
muscles; and
– increases the oxidation of glucose during tissue respiration.
Blood glucose concentration decreases to normal level and insulin production decreases.

When blood glucose concentration falls below normal level, the islets of Langerhans in
the pancreas are stimulated to secrete glucagon into the bloodstream. Glucagon is
transported to the liver and muscles. Glucagon causes:
– the conversion of glycogen into glucose;
– the breakdown of fats and amino acids to glucose; and
– the conversion of lactic acid into glucose.
Blood glucose concentration rises to normal level and glucagon production decreases.

2. (a) When a lot of water is taken into the body; e.g. drinking a lot of water
(b) When water loss from the body is high; e.g. due to profuse sweating

3. When water potential in blood decreases, the hypothalamus is stimulated. More ADH is
released by pituitary gland. The walls of the collecting ducts become more permeable to
water, leading to more water being reabsorbed by kidney tubules. Less water is excreted
from body and urine becomes more concentrated. These corrective mechanisms
increase water potential of blood (negative feedback) to normal level.

When water potential in blood increases, the hypothalamus is stimulated. Less ADH is
released by pituitary gland. The walls of the collecting ducts become less permeable to
water, leading to less water being reabsorbed by kidney tubules. More water is excreted
from body and urine becomes more dilute. These corrective mechanisms decrease water
potential of blood (negative feedback) to normal level.

Test Yourself 12.2 (page 249)

1. A – nerve ending (receptor)

B – hair erector muscle
C – blood capillary
D – sweat gland

2. D

3. C and D

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Biology Matters G.C.E. 'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 12

Test Yourself 12.3 (page 253)

(a) You may use the following procedure:

1. Wrap the corrugated cardboard around one cup (cup A), holding it in position with a
rubber band at the top and bottom. Wrap the toilet paper around another cup (cup B)
and secure it in a similar way. The last cup (cup C) is left as a control.
2. Thoroughly wet the toilet paper around cup B using some of the hot water. Fill each
cup to about three-quarters with the remaining hot water (80ºC). Each cup should
contain the same depth of water.
3. Record the temperature of the water in each cup in a table and repeat the readings
after 4, 8, 12 and 16 minutes. Stir with the thermometer as each reading is taken and
do not allow the toilet paper around cup B to become dry.
4. Plot the readings on graph paper. The graphs for all three cups could be on the same
axes but they should be distinguished properly.
Results and explanation:
– The water in cup A cooled least quickly. The cardboard and the air trapped in
between it and the cup are bad conductors of heat and so act as insulators against
heat loss.
– The water in cup B cooled most quickly. When the water on the toilet paper
evaporates, latent heat is removed from the cup, increasing heat loss.
(b) – Hairs trap still air. Air is a poor conductor of heat, so it insulates the body.
On cold days, hairs tend to stand on end, trapping a thicker layer of still air.
– Animals sweat more on warmer days. Evaporation of sweat removes latent
heat from the skin.

Get It Right (page 255)

(a) True
(b) False
In response to negative feedback mechanism, the effector organ will bring about the
reverse effect of the stimulus to restore the system to its original state.
(c) False
The main purpose of sweating is to remove excess heat from the body.
(d) False
The brain cannot consciously control body temperature regulation.

Let’s Review (page 255)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. B
2. D

Section B: Structured Questions

(a) Blood vessels in the skin carry blood and heat to the skin surface. When they dilate,
more blood and hence more heat is brought to the skin surface and lost to the
surroundings. When they constrict, less heat is brought to the skin surface.
(b) The hypothalamus in the brain monitors and regulates the body temperature. The
hypothalamus receives information from temperature receptors in the skin about
temperature changes in the external environment, and also monitors the temperature of
blood passing though it. When activated, the hypothalamus sends out nerve impulses to
relevant body parts to bring about changes to keep the body temperature constant.
(c) When there is a significant drop in body temperature, the body muscles contract
spasmodically, causing shivering. This increases heat production.

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Biology Matters G.C.E. 'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 12

Section C: Free-Response Question

– Alcohol consumed causes vasodilation;

– Skin arterioles dilate;
– More blood flows into skin capillaries;
– Blood carries heat from the deeper parts of the body to the skin;
– Heat is lost from the skin by radiation, convection and conduction;
– Excessive heat lost during cold weather may lead to hypothermia.
– Symptom and signs of hypothermia include mental confusion, lack of coordination,
shivering and feeling sleepy;
– In extreme cases, hypothermia may cause heart failure and death.

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