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Choosing participants for glucose testing
Scientists investigated whether blood glucose concentration affects reaction time. The reaction times of ten people with Type 1 diabetes were measured. This is the method used.
- Tell one person to drink a glucose solution.
- Monitor the person’s blood glucose concentration.
- Record the person’s reaction time when the person’s blood glucose concentration is 16 mmol/dm³, 6 mmol/dm³ and 3 mmol/dm³.
- Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the nine other people.
People with Type 1 diabetes were selected for the investigation instead of people who did not have diabetes. Explain why.
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Marking points
- 1 Explains that Type 1 diabetes gives a wider/sufficient blood-glucose range.
- 2 Links that wider variation to little or no insulin being produced.
Full-mark answer
People with Type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin, so after the glucose drink their blood glucose can rise much higher and vary over a wider range. This allowed reaction time to be measured at all three required concentrations.
Why this answer loses marks
People with diabetes have more glucose in their blood.
This does not explain the wider variation; link little or no insulin to reduced lowering of blood glucose and therefore a broader test range.