State that insulin decreases blood glucose concentration
Retain the pancreatic hormone and the direction of its Core effect.
Exam scope and assessment notes
Core and Extended · Biology 0970, 2026–2028. Use the stated specimen features and evidence. Diagrams are schematic. Written practice is self-checked; human subject-teacher review, supervised practical competence and cumulative assessment remain pending. Cambridge states that IGCSE 0970 has the same subject content as IGCSE 0610, with 9–1 grading. This StudyForA pathway maps the 2026–2028 syllabus only. This 9–1 graded qualification is available only in a limited number of administrative zones. Confirm that your centre can enter you for this code and exam series with Cambridge International. Cambridge has published a separate syllabus for 2029. StudyForA has not reconciled that version yet; this page supports exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028 only.
Before you begin
- Recall hormone production and blood transport, respiration, liver storage and electrical impulses along neurones.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which organ secretes insulin?
What you will learn
- Name the hormone and measured quantity
- Keep insulin separate from glucose
State that insulin decreases blood glucose concentration
Core: insulin from the pancreas decreases blood glucose concentration. Insulin is a signal; glucose is a respiratory substrate. Original teaching model.
| Feature | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hormone | Insulin |
| Source | Pancreas |
| Quantity | Blood glucose concentration |
| Direction | Decreases |
Name the hormone and measured quantity
Insulin decreases blood glucose concentration. Insulin is a chemical hormone secreted by the pancreas; glucose is a dissolved substance used by cells as a respiratory substrate. The hormone and the glucose are different substances. A Core answer needs the named hormone, the named blood quantity and the decrease direction rather than a vague statement that insulin changes sugar.
Concentration describes the amount of glucose in a given volume of blood. A decrease means less glucose per volume, not automatically less total blood in the circulation. Insulin is carried by blood to responsive targets and influences their activity. It is not a digestive enzyme that travels through a pancreatic duct into the small intestine.
Keep insulin separate from glucose
Use the effect direction consistently in an unfamiliar supplied example. If a model asks which taught hormone lowers blood glucose concentration, insulin is the required answer. Glucagon is a different pancreatic hormone associated with increasing the concentration; that fuller contrasting control is taught in the Supplement sequence.
A supplied before-and-after record can illustrate a concentration decrease, but it does not by itself identify an insulin dose or provide a personal treatment decision. The course uses invented model quantities for calculation. Detailed liver storage and negative-feedback control follow later, while this Core lesson focuses on the hormone and the required effect direction.
Pause and explain
Which direction matches the Core insulin effect?
Worked example
State the Core insulin effect.
Show the worked solution
- Insulin is the named hormone.
- Blood glucose concentration decreases.
Answer Insulin decreases blood glucose concentration.
Try a topic test
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Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
State the effect of insulin on blood glucose concentration.
Give me a hint
Use the hormone, blood quantity and direction.
Compare my reasoning
- Name insulin.
- State a decrease in blood glucose concentration.
Insulin decreases blood glucose concentration.
Look for these in your work
- Name insulin
- Specify decreased blood glucose concentration
Distinguish insulin from glucose in a supplied blood-borne model.
Give me a hint
One is a signal; the other is a respiratory substrate.
Compare my reasoning
- Insulin is a pancreatic chemical hormone.
- Glucose is a substance used as a substrate in respiration.
Insulin is a pancreatic hormone; glucose is a respiratory substrate. They are different substances.
Look for these in your work
- Identify the hormone role
- Identify the glucose role
Correct: insulin is pancreatic juice that increases the amount of glucose per blood volume.
Give me a hint
Correct both output category and effect direction.
Compare my reasoning
- Insulin is an endocrine hormone released into blood.
- Its taught effect decreases blood glucose concentration.
Insulin is a pancreatic hormone released into blood; it decreases blood glucose concentration. It is not digestive pancreatic juice.
Look for these in your work
- Correct secretion category
- Correct concentration direction
Common mistakes
- Saying insulin increases blood glucose concentration.
- Treating insulin and glucose as the same substance.
What can you explain now?
Which direction matches the Core insulin effect?
Compare with the explanation
Decreased blood glucose concentration
It names both the quantity and decrease direction.
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Make it stick
State the complete insulin effect without confusing signal, substrate or secretion route.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.