Lesson 3.6.4.2.2

3.6.4.2.2 Second messenger model and diabetes Quiz: AQA Biology, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.6.4.2.2, Second messenger model and diabetes: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Biology (7402), Unit 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the function of adenylate cyclase in the second messenger model?

    • Hydrolyses glycogen to glucose
    • Converts ATP to cAMP
    • Converts cAMP to ATP
    • Phosphorylates glucose molecules

  2. Which molecule acts as the second messenger in adrenaline and glucagon signalling?

    • Adrenaline
    • ATP
    • Cyclic AMP
    • Protein kinase

  3. Why do peptide hormones like glucagon require a second messenger?

    • Bind directly to DNA
    • Are lipid-soluble molecules
    • Cannot cross membrane
    • Act within cytoplasm directly

  4. Which enzyme is activated by cyclic AMP in the second messenger model?

    • RNA polymerase
    • Lipase
    • Protein kinase
    • Amylase

  5. What is the primary cause of type I diabetes mellitus?

    • Alpha cell proliferation
    • Excess sugar intake
    • Autoimmune beta destruction
    • Insulin receptor mutation

  6. What is the underlying cellular defect in type II diabetes?

    • Complete insulin absence
    • Excessive insulin production
    • Reduced insulin responsiveness
    • Destroyed pancreatic beta cells

  7. How is type I diabetes typically managed daily?

    • High carbohydrate diet
    • Oral hypoglycaemic tablets
    • Glucagon supplements
    • Matched insulin injections

  8. Which molecule is directly activated by cyclic AMP in liver cells?

    • Adenylate cyclase
    • Protein kinase
    • Glycogen synthase
    • Glucagon receptor

  9. What is the expected effect of inhibiting adenylate cyclase on liver glycogen breakdown?

    • Doubled
    • Decreased
    • Increased
    • Unchanged

  10. Why might blood glucose remain high in a type II diabetic with normal insulin?

    • Excessive alpha activity
    • Rapid renal excretion
    • Ineffective target response
    • Defective beta receptors

  11. Which lifestyle factor helps improve glycaemic control in type II diabetes?

    • Increased regular exercise
    • Sedentary routine
    • Fasting entirely
    • High calorie intake

  12. Each active adenylate cyclase molecule makes 1 cAMP molecule per second. If 5 molecules are active, how many cAMP molecules are made in 10 seconds?

    • 50
    • 10
    • 5
    • 500

  13. What is the effect of inhibiting protein kinase during glucagon stimulation?

    • Rapid glucose synthesis
    • Increased insulin release
    • Excess cAMP production
    • No glycogen breakdown

  14. Why must insulin be administered by injection rather than orally?

    • Absorbed too quickly
    • Digested in gut
    • Toxic to liver
    • Precipitated by saliva

  15. What is the key advantage of the second messenger signalling cascade?

    • Direct gene silencing
    • Signal amplification
    • Slower response time
    • Reduced energy cost

  16. What is the typical impact of weight loss on type II diabetes management?

    • Can reverse condition
    • Destroys beta cells
    • Has no clinical effect
    • Worsens insulin resistance

  17. What major limitation affects observational studies linking sugar intake to type II diabetes?

    • Enzyme saturation
    • Confounding variables
    • Direct causation
    • Genetic determinism

  18. One cAMP molecule activates 2 protein kinase molecules, and each kinase activates 3 enzyme molecules. How many active enzyme molecules result from 4 cAMP molecules?

    • 12
    • 14
    • 24
    • 9

  19. Why do second messengers act faster than direct gene transcription?

    • mRNA translation
    • Enzyme phosphorylation
    • ATP hydrolysis
    • Active transport

  20. What factor most commonly causes a blood glucose spike after meals in type I diabetes?

    • Enhanced insulin sensitivity
    • Rapid glycogen synthesis
    • Excess glucagon secretion
    • Mistimed insulin dose

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