← Human Biology syllabus

ScotlandHuman Biology

Area 2: Physiology and Health

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How are a developing fetus and a newborn baby screened for conditions, and how are inheritance patterns used?

Antenatal screening (ultrasound imaging, biochemical marker tests and diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling), postnatal screening for metabolic disorders such as PKU, and the use of pedigree charts and patterns of inheritance to assess genetic risk.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on antenatal and postnatal screening, covering ultrasound dating and anomaly scans, biochemical marker tests, diagnostic amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, postnatal screening for metabolic disorders such as PKU, and the use of pedigree charts and patterns of inheritance to assess genetic risk.
10 min answer →

How is blood glucose controlled, and how do diabetes and obesity affect health?

The control of blood glucose concentration by insulin and glucagon (and the role of adrenaline), the negative feedback maintaining glucose levels, the causes and effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and the measurement and health consequences of obesity.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on blood glucose and obesity, covering the control of blood glucose by insulin and glucagon, the role of glycogen and adrenaline, negative feedback, the causes and effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the glucose tolerance test, and the measurement and health risks of obesity.
11 min answer →

How are sperm and eggs produced, and what happens during fertilisation?

The structure of the male and female reproductive systems, the production of sperm and ova (gametes) and the supporting secretions, and the process of fertilisation.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on gamete production and fertilisation, covering the structure of the male and female reproductive systems, sperm production in the seminiferous tubules, the role of supporting glands and seminal fluid, ovum production in the ovaries, and the process of fertilisation.
10 min answer →

How do hormones control sperm production and the menstrual cycle?

The hormonal control of sperm production in males and of the menstrual cycle in females, including the roles of the pituitary hormones FSH and LH and the gonadal hormones testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone, and the negative and positive feedback that regulates them.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on the hormonal control of reproduction, covering the control of sperm production by FSH, LH and testosterone, the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, the roles of FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone, ovulation and the LH surge, and negative and positive feedback.
11 min answer →

How can fertility be increased or decreased, and how do these methods work?

The biology of controlling fertility, including cyclical and continuous fertility, treatments for infertility (ovulation-stimulating and superovulatory drugs, artificial insemination, IVF, ICSI and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis) and methods of contraception (physical, chemical and surgical).
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on the biology of controlling fertility, covering cyclical and continuous fertility, fertile periods, treatments for infertility (stimulating ovulation, IVF, ICSI and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis), artificial insemination, and physical, chemical and surgical methods of contraception.
10 min answer →

How does atherosclerosis develop, and how do cholesterol and lifestyle affect the risk of cardiovascular disease?

The pathology of cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis, the formation of atheromas, thrombosis and embolism, the consequences of heart attack and stroke, the role of cholesterol and LDL and HDL, and the genetic and lifestyle risk factors and their control.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on the pathology of cardiovascular disease, covering atherosclerosis and atheroma formation, thrombosis and embolism, heart attack and stroke, the roles of cholesterol, LDL and HDL, the regulation of cholesterol, and the genetic and lifestyle risk factors and their control.
11 min answer →

How are the heart and blood vessels structured to pump blood and meet the body's needs?

The structure and function of the heart and the cardiac cycle, the control of heart rate by the autonomic nervous system and the SAN, blood pressure and its measurement, and the structure and function of arteries, capillaries and veins.
An SQA Higher Human Biology answer on the cardiovascular system, covering the structure of the heart and the cardiac cycle, control of heart rate by the SAN and the autonomic nervous system, the measurement of blood pressure, and the structure and function of arteries, capillaries and veins.
11 min answer →