# Explain why the release of insulin from beta cells in the islets of Langerhans can be described as an example of hormonal communication rather than nervous communication.

> OCR A-Level Biology A (H420) — 5.4 Hormonal communication · Explain · 4 marks

> After a carbohydrate-rich meal, blood glucose concentration rises significantly above the normal range. Specialised cells in the pancreas detect this change and release a chemical messenger directly into the blood.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Insulin is secreted directly into the blood (not along a neurone/nerve fibre)
2. Insulin acts on target cells / target organs at a distance from its site of release (rather than at a specific synapse)
3. Insulin binds to specific complementary receptors on target cell membranes (receptor-mediated response)
4. The response is slower and longer-lasting compared with nervous communication, which uses electrical impulses along neurones

## Key terms

- [islets of Langerhans](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/islets-of-langerhans)
- [beta cells](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/beta-cells)
- [hormonal communication](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/hormonal-communication)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Biology A (H420)](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-why-the-release-of-insulin-f23639a4) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.