# A person with type 1 diabetes does not produce insulin. They inject insulin before eating a meal. Explain why injecting insulin before a meal helps to maintain a stable blood glucose concentration.

> Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0) — 4.5 Hormonal coordination · Explain · 5 marks

> Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas does not produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin to regulate their blood glucose concentration.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Eating a meal causes blood glucose concentration to rise / increase
2. Insulin is the hormone that lowers blood glucose concentration
3. Insulin causes glucose to be converted to glycogen (in the liver / muscles)
4. This removes excess glucose from the blood, returning blood glucose concentration to normal / the set point
5. This is an example of negative feedback / homeostasis, which maintains a stable internal environment / stable blood glucose concentration

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0)](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-with-type-1-diabetes-15a404d3) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.