14.3

Hormones

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)  · Unit 14: Coordination and response  · 10 flashcards

Hormones is topic 14.3 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 14 — Coordination and response , alongside Coordination and response, Sense organs and Homeostasis.  In one line: A hormone is a chemical substance produced by a gland and transported in the blood. It alters the activity of one or more specific target organs.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical). Past papers from 2022 to 2025 show this topic across 7 questions worth 78 marks (around 1.1% of all Biology marks in those years).

The deck below contains 10 flashcards — 1 definition, 4 key concepts, 1 process card and 4 identification cards — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the definition card to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

A hormone in biological terms

A hormone is a chemical substance produced by a gland and transported in the blood. It alters the activity of one or more specific target organs.

Example: Insulin produced by the pancreas affects liver and muscle cells.

What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says

Official 2026-2028 spec

These are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.

  1. Describe Describe a hormone as a chemical substance, produced by a gland and carried by the blood, which alters the activity of one or more specific target organs
  2. Identify Identify in diagrams and images specific endocrine glands and state the hormones they secrete, limited to: (a) adrenal glands and adrenaline (b) pancreas and insulin (c) testes and testosterone (d) ovaries and oestrogen
  3. Describe Describe adrenaline as the hormone secreted in 'fight or flight' situations and its effects, limited to: (a) increased breathing rate (b) increased heart rate (c) increased pupil diameter
  4. Compare Compare nervous and hormonal control, limited to speed of action and duration of effect
  5. State State that glucagon is secreted by the pancreas Supplement
  6. Describe Describe the role of adrenaline in the control of metabolic activity, limited to: (a) increasing the blood glucose concentration (b) increasing heart rate Supplement
Definition Flip

Define a hormone in biological terms.

Answer Flip

A hormone is a chemical substance produced by a gland and transported in the blood. It alters the activity of one or more specific target organs.

Example: Insulin produced by the pancreas affects liver and muscle cells.
Key Concept Flip

Name two endocrine glands and the hormones they secrete.

Answer Flip

Adrenal glands secrete adrenaline, which prepares the body for 'fight or flight'. The pancreas secretes insulin, which regulates blood glucose levels.

Example: After a meal, the pancreas releases insulin.
Key Concept Flip

What hormone is secreted by the testes?

Answer Flip

The testes secrete testosterone. This hormone is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics.

Example: Testosterone causes the development of facial hair in human males during puberty.
Key Concept Flip

What hormone is secreted by the ovaries?

Answer Flip

The ovaries secrete oestrogen. This hormone is responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics and plays a role in the menstrual cycle.

Example: Oestrogen causes breast development in human females during puberty.
Key Concept Flip

Describe three effects of adrenaline on the body.

Answer Flip

Adrenaline increases the breathing rate, providing more oxygen to cells. It also increases the heart rate, delivering oxygenated blood faster. Furthermore, it increases pupil diameter, improving vision.

Example: During exercise, adrenaline release increases heart rate and breathing.
Key Concept Flip

Briefly compare the speed of action and duration of effect between nervous and hormonal control.

Answer Flip

Nervous control is faster because it uses electrical impulses that travel quickly along neurons, but its effects are short-lived. Hormonal control is slower because hormones must travel through the bloodstream, but its effects last longer.

Example: A reflex action is faster than the long-term effects of testosterone.
Key Concept Flip

What hormone, in addition to insulin, is secreted by the pancreas?

Answer Flip

The pancreas also secretes glucagon. Glucagon works antagonistically to insulin in regulating blood glucose levels.

Example: When blood glucose is low, glucagon stimulates the liver to release glucose.
Key Concept Flip

Describe the role of adrenaline in controlling metabolic activity related to blood glucose.

Answer Flip

Adrenaline increases blood glucose concentration by stimulating the liver to convert glycogen into glucose. This provides more glucose for energy during 'fight or flight' situations.

Example: When a rabbit is startled by a predator, adrenaline raises its blood glucose.
Key Concept Flip

Describe the role of adrenaline in controlling metabolic activity related to heart rate.

Answer Flip

Adrenaline increases heart rate, allowing for faster delivery of oxygen and glucose to muscles. This increases the rate of respiration in muscle cells, providing more energy for movement.

Example: When a deer is chased by a wolf, adrenaline increases the deer's heart rate and supplies the muscles with more oxygen.
Key Concept Flip

Describe the 'fight or flight' response.

Answer Flip

The 'fight or flight' response is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. It is triggered by the release of adrenaline, which prepares the body for rapid action.

Example: An increased heart rate and breathing rate during a bear attack.

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14.2 Sense organs 14.4 Homeostasis

Key Questions: Hormones

Define a hormone in biological terms.

A hormone is a chemical substance produced by a gland and transported in the blood. It alters the activity of one or more specific target organs.

Example: Insulin produced by the pancreas affects liver and muscle cells.

Tips to avoid common mistakes in Hormones

More topics in Unit 14 — Coordination and response

Hormones sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

14.1 Coordination and response

10 flashcards
14.2 Sense organs

12 flashcards
14.4 Homeostasis

11 flashcards
14.5 Tropic responses

10 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

hormone endocrine system gland insulin glucagon adrenaline testosterone oestrogen progesterone FSH LH pancreas adrenal gland pituitary gland thyroid ovary testis blood glucose diabetes type 1 diabetes type 2 diabetes

Key terms covered in this Hormones deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

A hormone in biological terms

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How to study this Hormones deck

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