# Explain how the body detects and responds to a rise in blood glucose concentration after a meal, and describe what happens when blood glucose levels return to normal. In your answer, name the organ and hormone involved.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 4.3 Variation and evolution · Explain · 5 marks

> After eating a meal containing carbohydrates, the blood glucose concentration rises above the normal optimum level.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The pancreas detects the rise in blood glucose concentration
2. The pancreas secretes / releases insulin into the blood
3. Insulin causes cells to take up more glucose from the blood
4. Insulin causes the liver to convert glucose into glycogen for storage
5. Blood glucose concentration falls back to the normal / optimum level, so less insulin is secreted — this is negative feedback

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Biology](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/explain-how-the-body-detects-and-9c4ac55a) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.