# A person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Their doctor explains that the pancreas is still producing insulin, but the body's cells no longer respond to it properly. Explain how insulin normally controls blood glucose concentration after a meal, and why a person with type 2 diabetes would have persistently high blood glucose levels.

> Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0) — 4.5 Hormonal coordination · Explain · 5 marks

> Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which body cells become less sensitive to insulin. It is increasingly common and is linked to diet and lifestyle factors.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. After a meal, blood glucose concentration rises
2. The pancreas detects the rise and releases insulin into the bloodstream
3. Insulin causes body cells / liver cells to take up glucose from the blood
4. Blood glucose concentration returns to / is maintained at the normal level (negative feedback)
5. In type 2 diabetes, cells do not respond to insulin, so glucose cannot be taken up / blood glucose remains high

## Key terms

- [insulin](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/insulin)
- [blood glucose concentration](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/blood-glucose-concentration)
- [pancreas](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/pancreas)
- [type 2 diabetes](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/type-2-diabetes)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-person-is-diagnosed-with-type-6d08ef0f) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.