This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Human Endocrine System for GCSE Biology. Topic 4: Human Endocrine System It is section 9 of 11 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 9 of 11
Practice
15 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
Exam Focus
High PriorityThe endocrine system appears in approximately 3 out of 5 AQA Paper 2 exams, often earning 4–6 marks. The comparison of nervous and hormonal systems is one of the most frequently set 4-mark questions.
How it is tested:
- Compare nervous and hormonal systems: Speed, duration, specificity, method of transmission (neurone vs blood). Always give both sides for each comparison.
- Name glands and their hormones: Pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, ovaries, testes — and the hormone each produces and its function.
- Explain target organ specificity: Why do only certain cells respond to a hormone? (Receptor proteins complementary to hormone shape.)
- Apply to adrenaline: Adrenaline prepares for fight-or-flight — increases heart rate, dilates pupils, increases blood glucose. Higher tier may ask about specific mechanisms.
- Higher tier: Negative feedback control of thyroxine levels; how the pituitary controls other glands.