What is carbohydrate loading?

Carbohydrate loading is the manipulation of diet and training before an endurance event so that the glycogen stores of the muscles and liver are filled to well above their normal level.

Describe how an athlete carries out carbohydrate loading before a long endurance event.

Training is reduced to a light taper over the last few days while carbohydrate intake is raised sharply, and in the classical version this follows a period of hard exercise on a low-carbohydrate diet to deplete the stores first.

How is recombinant erythropoietin produced?

The human gene for erythropoietin is inserted into cultured cells, which then transcribe and translate it to make the hormone in quantity.

OCR A-Level Biology B H422

The Developing Cell: Cell Division and Cell Differentiation

Topic overview The cell cycle and mitosis Apoptosis in growth and repair Stem cells and cell differentiation

The Developing Individual: Meiosis, Growth and Development

Topic overview Meiosis, haploid gametes and genetic variation The stages of meiosis Antenatal care and diet in pregnancy Alcohol, smoking and monitoring fetal growth Prenatal screening and karyotypes

The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification

Topic overview Classification and the species concept Evidence for classification and DNA barcoding Phylogenetic trees, hominids and the evolution of language Human adaptations, natural selection and evolution Plant adaptations and how they are investigated Measuring biodiversity and genetic diversity

Cells and Microscopy

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Water and Its Importance in Plants and Animals

Topic overview The properties of water Water as a transport medium and the composition of body fluids Detecting and measuring sugars and proteins Monomers, polymers and the carbohydrates Osmosis and water potential

Proteins and Enzymes

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Nucleic Acids

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Patterns of Inheritance

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Population Genetics and Epigenetics

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Gene Technologies

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The Principles and Importance of Homeostasis

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The Hormonal Control of Blood Glucose and the Management of Diabetes

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Metabolism and Exercise

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Fertility and Assisted Reproduction

Topic overview The urinogenital systems and gonad histology Gametogenesis and the structure of the gametes Hormonal control of gametogenesis and the menstrual cycle Fertilisation and pregnancy testing The causes and issues of infertility Assisted reproduction techniques

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Topic overview Ageing and the female reproductive system Managing the menopause Ageing and the male urinogenital system

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The Nervous System and the Identification and Consequences of Damage

Topic overview Organisation of the nervous system and nervous tissue The structure and function of the human brain The structure of motor, sensory and relay neurones Resting potential and the action potential Synapses and the integration of responses Reflexes, reaction times and their investigation Brain scans and the consequences of nervous system damage Drugs, brain function and dependency

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The Effect of Ageing on the Nervous System

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Transport Systems in Plants

Topic overview The need for transport systems in plants Vascular tissue in roots, stems and leaves Water uptake and movement through the plant Transpiration and Its Measurement Translocation in the Phloem

Metabolism and Exercise

Enhancing athletic performance

3 things to know
Components 01, 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on carbohydrate loading and its drawbacks, recombinant erythropoietin and its health risks, blood doping and why it is hard to detect, anabolic steroids and their side effects, and the arguments over which methods of enhancing performance are allowed.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Evaluation

Give two disadvantages of carbohydrate loading.

Key term

Explain how carbohydrate loading improves endurance performance.

Key term

What is erythropoietin, and where is it normally produced?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is carbohydrate loading?
Model answer
Carbohydrate loading is the manipulation of diet and training before an endurance event so that the glycogen stores of the muscles and liver are filled to well above their normal level.
2
Describe how an athlete carries out carbohydrate loading before a long endurance event.
Model answer
Training is reduced to a light taper over the last few days while carbohydrate intake is raised sharply, and in the classical version this follows a period of hard exercise on a low-carbohydrate diet to deplete the stores first.
3
Explain how carbohydrate loading improves endurance performance.
Model answer
A larger store of muscle glycogen delays the point at which it runs out, so the athlete can sustain a high intensity for longer before fatigue forces them to slow.
4
Give two disadvantages of carbohydrate loading.
Model answer
Water is stored with the glycogen, so the athlete gains weight and can feel heavy and bloated, and the depletion phase leaves them tired, irritable and more prone to illness or injury.
5
What is erythropoietin, and where is it normally produced?
Model answer
Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells, and it is secreted by the kidney.
6
How is recombinant erythropoietin produced?
Model answer
The human gene for erythropoietin is inserted into cultured cells, which then transcribe and translate it to make the hormone in quantity.

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The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification

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