AQA GCSE Biology Paper 2 2026/2027 |
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
1. Homeostasis is defined as:
A. The maintenance of a constant internal environment
B. The process of energy production in cells
C. The movement of substances across membranes
D. The breakdown of glucose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis is the regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism
to maintain optimum conditions for function, in response to internal and external
changes.
2. Which of the following is controlled by homeostasis?
A. Body temperature
B. Blood glucose concentration
C. Water content
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Homeostasis controls body temperature, blood glucose concentration, and
water content.
3. The thermoregulatory center is located in which part of the brain?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Cerebral cortex
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The thermoregulatory center is located in the hypothalamus, which monitors
and controls body temperature.
4. When body temperature rises above normal, which of the following occurs?
,A. Vasodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Shivering
D. Reduced sweating
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) increases blood flow to the skin,
allowing heat to be lost to the environment.
5. When body temperature drops below normal, which of the following occurs?
A. Vasodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Sweating
D. Reduced shivering
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) reduces blood flow to the skin,
conserving heat.
6. The hormone that controls blood glucose concentration is:
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Adrenaline
D. Thyroxine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin is the hormone that lowers blood glucose concentration.
7. Which organ produces insulin?
A. Liver
B. Pancreas
C. Kidney
D. Gallbladder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the pancreas.
8. Which hormone raises blood glucose concentration?
, A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Adrenaline
D. Thyroxine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Glucagon raises blood glucose concentration by causing the breakdown of
glycogen in the liver.
9. Type 1 diabetes is caused by:
A. The body not producing enough insulin
B. The body not responding to insulin
C. Excessive insulin production
D. Excessive glucagon production
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body not producing enough insulin.
10. Type 2 diabetes is caused by:
A. The body not producing enough insulin
B. The body not responding to insulin
C. Excessive insulin production
D. Excessive glucagon production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body not responding to insulin (insulin
resistance).
11. The kidneys filter blood to remove:
A. Oxygen
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Urea
D. Glucose
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The kidneys filter blood to remove urea, excess water, and excess salts.
12. ADH (antidiuretic hormone) controls the concentration of:
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
1. Homeostasis is defined as:
A. The maintenance of a constant internal environment
B. The process of energy production in cells
C. The movement of substances across membranes
D. The breakdown of glucose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis is the regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism
to maintain optimum conditions for function, in response to internal and external
changes.
2. Which of the following is controlled by homeostasis?
A. Body temperature
B. Blood glucose concentration
C. Water content
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Homeostasis controls body temperature, blood glucose concentration, and
water content.
3. The thermoregulatory center is located in which part of the brain?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Cerebral cortex
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The thermoregulatory center is located in the hypothalamus, which monitors
and controls body temperature.
4. When body temperature rises above normal, which of the following occurs?
,A. Vasodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Shivering
D. Reduced sweating
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) increases blood flow to the skin,
allowing heat to be lost to the environment.
5. When body temperature drops below normal, which of the following occurs?
A. Vasodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Sweating
D. Reduced shivering
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) reduces blood flow to the skin,
conserving heat.
6. The hormone that controls blood glucose concentration is:
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Adrenaline
D. Thyroxine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin is the hormone that lowers blood glucose concentration.
7. Which organ produces insulin?
A. Liver
B. Pancreas
C. Kidney
D. Gallbladder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the pancreas.
8. Which hormone raises blood glucose concentration?
, A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Adrenaline
D. Thyroxine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Glucagon raises blood glucose concentration by causing the breakdown of
glycogen in the liver.
9. Type 1 diabetes is caused by:
A. The body not producing enough insulin
B. The body not responding to insulin
C. Excessive insulin production
D. Excessive glucagon production
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body not producing enough insulin.
10. Type 2 diabetes is caused by:
A. The body not producing enough insulin
B. The body not responding to insulin
C. Excessive insulin production
D. Excessive glucagon production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body not responding to insulin (insulin
resistance).
11. The kidneys filter blood to remove:
A. Oxygen
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Urea
D. Glucose
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The kidneys filter blood to remove urea, excess water, and excess salts.
12. ADH (antidiuretic hormone) controls the concentration of:
