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IGCSEBiology
Trial Class

Original practice · 5 questions · 17 marks · about 19 minutes

Homeostasis and Negative Feedback Practice Questions

Biology editorial review is supported by the named review panel. Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.

Write each answer as a chain from change to detection, hormone or nerve signal, effector response and reversal of the change.

Before you open the answers

  • Attempt every question without notes.
  • Show working for calculations and write complete biological statements.
  • Use the suggested time as a guide, not a strict limit on the first attempt.

These are original practice questions. They do not reproduce an official Cambridge paper or official mark scheme.

  1. Question 1

    Paper 4 Extended 2 marks Difficulty 1/5

    Define homeostasis and state one internal condition it controls.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Maintenance of a constant internal environment.
    2. Example: body temperature, blood glucose concentration or water content.

    Watch for: Defining it as keeping the external environment constant.

  2. Question 2

    Paper 4 Extended 5 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Explain how the body responds when core temperature rises.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Temperature receptors or the hypothalamus detect the rise.
    2. Sweat production increases.
    3. Evaporation of sweat removes thermal energy from skin.
    4. Arterioles supplying surface capillaries dilate, increasing skin blood flow.
    5. More heat is lost, returning temperature toward normal.

    Watch for: Saying capillaries themselves actively dilate.

  3. Question 3

    Paper 4 Extended 4 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Explain how insulin lowers blood glucose after a meal.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. The pancreas detects increased blood glucose and releases insulin.
    2. Body cells take up more glucose.
    3. Liver or muscle cells convert glucose to glycogen.
    4. Blood glucose falls toward the normal concentration.

    Watch for: Saying insulin itself converts glucose into glycogen.

  4. Question 4

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 2/5

    State the role of glucagon when blood glucose concentration is too low.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Glucagon is released by the pancreas.
    2. It causes glycogen in the liver to be converted to glucose.
    3. Glucose is released into blood, raising the concentration.

    Watch for: Confusing glucagon with glycogen.

  5. Question 5

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Explain why temperature control is an example of negative feedback.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. A deviation from the normal temperature is detected.
    2. Responses oppose or reverse the original change.
    3. Temperature moves back toward the normal level or set point.

    Watch for: Saying “negative” means the response is bad for the body.

Mark the set consistently

Award a point only when the idea is clearly present in the written answer. Correct any missed point in a complete sentence, then test the same skill on a different question several days later.

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