Practice A.1.2 Maintaining homeostasis with authentic IB Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 structure, covering key topics like core principles, advanced applications, and practical problem-solving. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
Identify two systems that collaborate to regulate ventilation.
2.[2]
State two factors that increase ventilation rate during intense exercise.
3.[3]
Describe how partial pressure gradients drive the exchange of gases during exercise.
4.[4]
Explain how the circulatory system compensates for increased oxygen demand during interval training.
5.[4]
Outline the importance of cardiovascular control centers in adapting to variable intensity workloads.
6.[5]
Discuss the consequences of impaired gas exchange on homeostasis and athletic performance.
Question 2
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
State the role of the hypothalamus in temperature regulation.
2.[2]
Identify two internal conditions regulated by homeostatic mechanisms.
3.[3]
Describe how the nervous system responds to an increase in body temperature.
4.[3]
Describe the function of insulin in blood glucose regulation.
5.[5]
Explain the role of the lungs in the transport of gases during exercise.
6.[5]
Discuss how the endocrine and nervous systems work together to maintain homeostasis during exercise.
Question 3
SLPaper 1A
Based on the graph, which of the following best explains the observed glucose trends?
Question 4
SLPaper 2
A long-term analysis of U.S. population data was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1988 to 2015. The study evaluated glycaemic control using HbA1c levels — a biomarker that reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months.
HbA1c is a critical indicator of glucose homeostasis and is used both in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. The prevalence of HbA1c categories was analyzed across different age groups and between sexes for individuals with and without diabetes. Additionally, the study assessed hazard ratios (risk of adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease or mortality) in relation to HbA1c levels, both in those with diagnosed diabetes and without.
Three figures summarize the findings:
Figure 1: Prevalence of HbA1c levels by sex and age group in individuals diagnosed with diabetes.
Figure 2: Prevalence of HbA1c levels by sex and age group in individuals without diabetes.
Figure 3: Hazard ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) by HbA1c group, comparing individuals with diagnosed diabetes vs. those without. HbA1c 5.0–5.6% in non-diabetics is used as the reference group.
1.[1]
State how the prevalence of HbA1c ≥8% changes across age groups in men.
Question 5
HLPaper 1A
The graph shows time to exhaustion (minutes) at ambient temperatures of 10°C, 20°C, 30°C, and 40°C. What physiological explanation best accounts for the sharp drop in time to exhaustion at 40°C?
Question 6
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
State the primary function of hemoglobin.
2.[2]
Identify two byproducts of aerobic metabolism.
3.[3]
Describe how oxygen is transported in the blood.
4.[3]
Explain how the circulatory system supports muscle function during exercise.
5.[5]
Outline the role of capillaries in gas and nutrient exchange.
6.[5]
Discuss how the respiratory and cardiovascular systems interact to meet the demands of working muscles.
Question 7
SLPaper 1A
The figure below shows proposed glucose targets for athletes with type 1 diabetes during training (panel a) and competition (panel b). These targets help regulate blood glucose levels through insulin-independent glucose uptake during exercise.
Which of the following best explains the physiological rationale for increasing the target time in the glucose range 3.9–10 mmol/L from >70% during training to >75% during competition?
Question 8
SLPaper 2
Blood glucose values vary depending on the timing of measurement (fasting, post-meal, random) and age group.
1.[1]
State the normal fasting blood glucose range.
2.[1]
Identify the hormone that helps reduce elevated postprandial (after-meal) blood glucose levels.
3.[2]
Describe two ways the body restores blood glucose levels when they fall below the normal fasting range.
4.[2]
Explain how insulin and glucagon work antagonistically to regulate blood glucose homeostasis.
5.[3]
Describe the effect of aerobic exercise on blood glucose regulation, including its interaction with insulin.
Question 9
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
State the function of baroreceptors.
2.[2]
Identify two systems involved in the regulation of blood pressure.
3.[3]
Outline the role of the medulla oblongata in cardiovascular regulation.
4.[3]
Explain how the nervous system maintains blood pressure during standing.
5.[5]
Describe how the endocrine and nervous systems coordinate to regulate blood pressure under stress.
6.[5]
Discuss the importance of inter-system communication in maintaining stable blood pressure during dynamic exercise.
Question 10
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
Identify the two types of feedback mechanisms used in homeostasis.
2.[2]
State two reasons why maintaining core body temperature is essential for survival.
3.[3]
Describe how changes in external temperature are detected and communicated to the hypothalamus.
4.[4]
Explain the process by which the hypothalamus regulates thermoregulation via endocrine signaling.
5.[4]
Outline how prolonged fluid loss during endurance activity challenges homeostasis.
6.[5]
Discuss how the integration of thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems delays fatique and maintains homeostasis during an ultra-endurance event.