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IGCSE · Cambridge (CIE) · 0973

Interpret glucose and heart-rate changes in a metabolic record

Calculate two proportional changes and relate them to the limited Supplement account.

Section B13.2 · Hormones

Hormones · Cambridge IGCSE 0973 · B13.2
Exam scope and assessment notes

Mapped to the named 0973 section using teaching from the corresponding single-science course. A 0973-specific review of every Core and Supplement objective is still in progress. Written practice is self-checked; it does not demonstrate supervised laboratory competence or award an official Cambridge grade. This qualification reports two grades on the 9–1 scale; confirm the entry route for your zone and exam series.

Before you begin

  • Recall electrical impulses, blood transport, gland secretion and the distinction between a stimulus and a body response.

Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.

Quick readiness check

Do equal percentage changes imply equal absolute changes in these different quantities?

What you will learn

  • Calculate each response against its baseline
  • Explain what the paired record can establish

Interpret glucose and heart-rate changes in a metabolic record

Invented model units and beats/min. Equal percentage increases can have different absolute changes; this table alone does not prove a sole hormone cause. Original teaching model.

Invented metabolic response record
Quantity and unitBeforeAfter
Blood glucose concentration / model units69
Heart rate / beats/min6090
Hormones model reference
FeatureMeaning
Glucose change+3 model units; 50%
Heart-rate change+30 beats/min; 50%
Second recordGlucose 50%; heart 30%
Evidence limitNo direct respiration measurement or sole-cause proof

Calculate each response against its baseline

The invented metabolic record gives blood glucose concentration from 6 to 9 model units and heart rate from 60 to 90 beats per minute. Model units deliberately avoid a clinical threshold or an individual diagnosis. Both quantities increase, matching the directions in the limited Supplement adrenaline account; they are not the same measured quantity.

For glucose concentration, the absolute increase is 9 − 6 = 3 model units. The percentage increase is 3/6 × 100 = 50%. For heart rate, the absolute increase is 90 − 60 = 30 beats per minute, and 30/60 × 100 = 50%. Equal percentage increases do not mean equal absolute changes or equal units.

Explain what the paired record can establish

A second practice record gives glucose from 4 to 6 model units and heart rate from 80 to 104 beats per minute. Glucose rises by 2/4 × 100 = 50%, whereas heart rate rises by 24/80 × 100 = 30%. One hormone can be associated with changes of different proportions in different targets; the requirement gives response directions, not identical percentages.

The record supports calculations and comparison with the taught directions. It does not by itself prove adrenaline caused every change, establish the rate of cellular respiration or measure total blood output. Explain the consistency with the metabolic account, then distinguish that observation from a stronger causal claim requiring additional controlled evidence.

Sources for this lesson

Pause and explain

Which percentages match glucose 4→6 and heart 80→104?

Put the idea to work

Worked example

Calculate both changes in the displayed metabolic record.

Show the worked solution
  1. Glucose: +3 model units, 50%.
  2. Heart: +30 beats/min, 50%.

Answer Glucose concentration +3 model units, 50%; heart rate +30 beats/min, 50%.

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From guided practice to a new situation

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.

1 · Guided

Calculate absolute and percentage changes in the displayed glucose and heart-rate record.

Give me a hint

Use separate baselines and units.

Compare my reasoning
  1. Glucose: 9 − 6 = 3; 3/6 × 100 = 50%.
  2. Heart: 90 − 60 = 30; 30/60 × 100 = 50%.

Glucose +3 model units, 50%; heart +30 beats/min, 50%.

Look for these in your work

  • Calculate both absolute changes
  • Calculate both relative changes
2 · Independent

Calculate percentage changes for glucose 4→6 model units and heart rate 80→104 beats/min.

Give me a hint

Divide +2 by 4 and +24 by 80.

Compare my reasoning
  1. Glucose increase is 50%.
  2. Heart-rate increase is 30%.

Glucose concentration increases by 50%; heart rate increases by 30%.

Look for these in your work

  • Use the glucose baseline
  • Use the heart baseline
3 · Transfer

Evaluate: both quantities rose, so this table proves adrenaline was the only cause and respiration rose by the same percentage.

Give me a hint

Direction consistency is weaker than sole-cause proof.

Compare my reasoning
  1. The increases are consistent with the taught adrenaline effects.
  2. No sole-cause control or respiration measurement is supplied.

The pattern is consistent with the taught effects, but it does not prove adrenaline was the sole cause or quantify respiration-rate change.

Look for these in your work

  • State the supported pattern
  • Reject the two unsupported inferences

Common mistakes

  • Treating model units as a clinical diagnostic range.
  • Inferring equal absolute changes from equal percentages.
Recall without your notes

What can you explain now?

Which percentages match glucose 4→6 and heart 80→104?

Compare with the explanation

Glucose 50%; heart 30%

Use +2/4 and +24/80.

After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.

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Make it stick

Calculate both changes and distinguish supported response directions from stronger causal claims.

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.

Keep learning Sciences — Co-ordinated (9-1)

Course scope and assessment

This 9–1 pathway maps all 152 detailed subject-content sections in the published 0973 syllabus for exams in 2028 and 2029. The course map follows the same 2028–2029 section codes as Cambridge's A*–G 0654 syllabus, while keeping 0973's grading and entry rules separate. It adapts lessons from the related single-science courses and excludes clear single-science-only topics. A 0973-specific objective-by-objective review, Core/Supplement audit, human subject-teacher review, supervised laboratory experience and cumulative assessment remain in progress. Written practice is self-checked and does not predict an official grade. The separate 2025–2027 syllabus has not been reconciled here. Cambridge lists 0973 only in a limited number of administrative zones: June in zone 3 and centres in Oman and the UAE; November in zone 3 only. Confirm entry with your centre.

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