OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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How does the body maintain hormone levels in the blood?

  1. Through positive feedback systems

  2. Through negative feedback systems

  3. By increasing hormone production

  4. By altering blood pressure

The correct answer is: Through negative feedback systems

The maintenance of hormone levels in the blood is primarily achieved through negative feedback systems. In a negative feedback mechanism, when the level of a hormone rises above a certain threshold, the body responds by reducing the production of that hormone. Conversely, if the hormone level falls too low, the body will increase the production of that hormone. This system helps to keep hormone levels within a narrow range, ensuring homeostasis is maintained. For example, when blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas secretes insulin, which lowers the sugar levels. As blood sugar decreases, insulin secretion is reduced. This precise regulation prevents dramatic fluctuations that could be harmful to the body. Other options, such as positive feedback systems, generally amplify changes rather than stabilize them, which is not effective for maintaining steady hormone levels in the blood. Additionally, simply increasing hormone production or altering blood pressure does not specifically address the regulation of hormone levels and could lead to imbalances rather than the maintenance of equilibrium.

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