# A student has been sitting quietly studying. They suddenly remember they have a test tomorrow and begin to feel anxious. Explain how the hormone glucagon maintains a suitable blood glucose concentration when the student skips dinner to keep revising, and describe the role of the pancreas in this process.

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

> When blood glucose concentration falls below the normal level, the body responds by releasing a hormone to restore balance. This is an example of hormonal coordination.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The pancreas detects that blood glucose concentration has fallen (below normal level)
2. The pancreas releases / secretes glucagon
3. Glucagon travels in the blood to the liver (as its target organ)
4. Glucagon causes the liver to convert glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis)
5. This raises blood glucose concentration back to the normal / set level, restoring balance

## Key terms

- [glucagon](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/glucagon)
- [pancreas](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/pancreas)
- [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-student-has-been-sitting-quietly-8af5225d) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.