IAL Biology Unit 5 - Potential Questions and Answers for the Scientific Article - January 2024
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Course
IAL - International A Level Biology
Institution
IAL - International A Level Biology
In unit 5, the last question (question 8) is based on a pre-released scientific article a total of 30 marks.
In this document, you will find potential questions and answers for the Scientific Article for question 8 for Biology IAL (International Advanced Level) WBIO5/1.
(The article is provid...
WBI05/01– Article potential questions Biology A Level Tutor
Potential questions for Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level
for use with Question 8 – Unit 5, January 2024
In unit 5, the last question (question 8) is based on a pre-released scientific article a total of 30
marks.
In this document, you will find potential questions and answers for the Scientific Article for
question 8 for Biology IAL (International Advanced Level) WBIO5/1.
(The article is provided by Pearson Edexcel Examination – January 2024)
This document consists of
o Article Summary (290 words)
o Ten (10) Key Takeaways
o What you should know and understand from this article before the exam.
o Vocabulary and Definitions of unknown words for each paragraph
o Key Take aways for each paragraph
o 116 potential questions each with its answer
➢ The questions are based on the scientific article
➢ 80% of them are linked to the syllabus, thus this document can be used for
revision as well
➢ Includes definitions
The article is available at the end of this booklet.
I would also suggest checking out Question 8 of the scientific article of the International A Level
Biology Unit 5, June 2021. That article also discusses the impact of ageing on skeletal muscle
performance, detailing the physiological changes, including muscle mass reduction, alterations in
muscle architecture, decline in muscle quality, and disruptions in cellular processes, while
emphasizing their influence on physical performance and overall health in the elderly, aiming to
guide interventions for healthy ageing and mitigate mobility limitations.
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,WBI05/01– Article potential questions Biology A Level Tutor
Summary of the article (290 words):
The article discusses sarcopenia, the involuntary loss of muscle mass, strength, and function that
occurs with age, leading to increased disability in older individuals. It highlights the various
physiological changes associated with aging, such as muscle mass reduction, increased fat mass,
bone density decrease, joint stiffness, and hormonal alterations, all of which contribute to
sarcopenia.
It explores potential causes of sarcopenia, including cellular and neuromuscular alterations,
changes in endocrine function, responsiveness to nutrients, and decreased physical activity.
Hormonal changes, particularly in testosterone levels in men and estrogen levels in women, are
noted for their impact on muscle mass and strength decline.
The article underscores the role of endocrine changes, specifically the decline in testosterone in
men and estrogen in women, in contributing to muscle loss. Additionally, it discusses insulin
resistance, highlighting its prevalence in older individuals and its potential link to sarcopenia due
to changes in body composition.
Physical activity emerges as a crucial factor, with inactivity being a significant contributor to
sarcopenia. Both resistance and aerobic exercises are suggested as beneficial in countering muscle
mass and strength reduction.
Nutrition also plays a pivotal role, with malnutrition leading to muscle wasting. The article suggests
that older individuals may need higher protein intake than currently recommended to prevent or
treat sarcopenia effectively. It discusses the significance of essential amino acids in stimulating
muscle protein synthesis and the potential benefits of nutritional interventions.
In conclusion, the article proposes a multifaceted approach to address sarcopenia, emphasizing
the importance of hormone balance, exercise, and proper nutrition. Testosterone replacement
therapy for hypogonadal older men, exercise incorporating resistance and aerobic components,
and nutritional supplementation are highlighted as potential interventions to mitigate
sarcopenia's effects. However, further research is suggested to better understand and refine these
intervention strategies.
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,WBI05/01– Article potential questions Biology A Level Tutor
Key Take Aways:
1. Sarcopenia Definition: It's the involuntary loss of muscle mass, strength, and function
associated with aging, leading to increased disability in older individuals.
2. Rate of Decline: Muscle mass decreases approximately 3-8% per decade after 30,
accelerating after 60, affecting various body functions and contributing to conditions like
diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
3. Mechanisms of Sarcopenia: Age-related changes include cellular alterations like reduced
muscle cell number, neuromuscular alterations, changes in endocrine function, and
responsiveness to nutrients and physical activity.
4. Endocrine Factors: Hormonal changes, specifically the decline in testosterone levels in men
and estrogen levels in women, contribute significantly to muscle mass and strength decline
with age.
5. Insulin Resistance: Its prevalence in older individuals and its potential link to sarcopenia
due to changes in body composition, emphasizing the importance of muscle tissue
response to insulin.
6. Physical Activity Impact: Inactivity is a significant contributor to sarcopenia, while both
resistance and aerobic exercises are beneficial in countering muscle mass and strength
reduction.
7. Nutrition's Role: Malnutrition and reduced protein intake among older individuals
predispose them to energy-protein malnutrition, suggesting that higher protein intake
than currently recommended may be necessary.
8. Amino Acids and Protein Synthesis: Essential amino acids play a critical role in stimulating
muscle protein synthesis, indicating the importance of adequate nutritional
supplementation.
9. Multifaceted Intervention: Addressing sarcopenia requires a multifaceted approach,
including hormone balance, exercise (both resistance and aerobic), and proper nutrition.
10. Intervention Strategies: Testosterone replacement therapy for hypogonadal older men,
exercise incorporating resistance and aerobic components, and nutritional
supplementation are potential interventions, but further research is needed for
refinement and understanding their efficacy.
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, WBI05/01– Article potential questions Biology A Level Tutor
What you should know and understand from this article before the exam.
Sarcopenia and Aging:
o Involuntary muscle mass loss is a significant effect of aging termed sarcopenia.
o Muscle mass reduces by 3-8% per decade after 30 and even more after 60.
o Decreased muscle mass, strength, and function contribute to disability in older people.
o Muscle mass reduction is associated with increased fat mass, changes in body composition,
and implications for conditions like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Mechanisms of Sarcopenia:
o The exact cause of sarcopenia isn't fully understood but is linked to various cellular and
neuromuscular alterations.
o Changes include muscle cell reduction, altered sarcoplasmic reticulum, neuromuscular
alterations, and changes in satellite cell recruitment, indicating reduced muscle growth.
Multifactorial Nature of Sarcopenia:
o Sarcopenia likely involves multiple factors including endocrine changes, nutrition, and
physical activity.
o Reductions in endocrine function, physical activity, and appropriate nutrition are treatable
and discussed for intervention.
Hormonal Changes and Muscle Loss:
o Hormonal changes during aging might contribute to muscle loss, highlighting
testosterone's role in muscle protein synthesis and the decrease's effect on muscle mass
and strength.
Menopause, Oestradiol, and Muscle Mass:
o Menopause's role in sarcopenia in women is less clear as muscle mass decline doesn't
seem to significantly increase post-menopause, despite abrupt oestradiol level drops.
Insulin Sensitivity and Muscle Response:
o Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes increase with age; sarcopenia may contribute.
o Insulin resistance in muscle and whole-body protein metabolism might be crucial in
sarcopenia development.
Physical Activity and Inactivity:
o Inactivity significantly reduces muscle mass and strength, while exercise, especially
resistance and aerobic exercises, counteracts these changes.
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