Date | November 2020 | Marks available | 6 | Reference code | 20N.3.HL.TZ0.24 |
Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | TZ0 / no time zone |
Command term | Explain | Question number | 24 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Explain how steroid and peptide hormones exert their effect.
Markscheme
a. endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream;
Steroid hormones:
b. pass through the plasma membrane (of target cells);
c. bind to receptor proteins in the cytoplasm
OR
form a receptor–hormone complex;
d. (receptor–hormone complex) enters the nucleus;
e. promotes the transcription of specific genes;
Peptide hormones:
f. bind to receptors in the plasma membrane (of the target cell);
g. (binding of hormones to membrane receptors) activates a cascade of reactions;
h. (cascade of reactions) mediated by a second messenger (inside the cell);
i. (cascade results in) activation of enzymes;
Examiners report
The majority of candidates provided complete explanations, even if they did not specify plasma membrane; there are nevertheless some candidates having difficulty over the role of second messengers, the effect of peptide hormones on enzyme action or being able to outline the events in a correct sequence.