Integration of Body Systems (SL IB Biology)

A group of scientists studied the effect of exposure to bright bathroom lights late in the evening on melatonin levels. Subjects attended a sleep clinic where they were allocated to three different light exposure groups; dim light, bright yellow light, and bright blue light.

Over the course of a week, all of the subjects spent most of each evening carrying out normal activities under dim light, before each group was exposed to a 30 minute period of either continuing dim light, bright yellow light, or bright blue light between 10:30 and 11 pm to simulate exposure to bathroom light.

The saliva melatonin levels of all groups were measured at 30 minute intervals throughout the evening and an average is taken for each light condition. The results are shown below.

Describe the effect of the 30-minute period of light exposure on melatonin levels.

A student was changing the light bulb in their bathroom and concluded, after reading the data in part a), that the best bulb type for improving their sleep would be a bright, yellow bulb.

Evaluate the student's conclusion using information from part a).

One of the roles of melatonin is to bind to cell membrane receptors on pancreas cells and slow down the secretion of insulin.

[2]

Suggest a benefit of the effect described in part i) during the period at which melatonin levels are high.

[1]

A mutation known as the G allele has been identified in some individuals. The G allele is thought to increase the sensitivity of cells to melatonin. Individuals who regularly undertake shift work at night and who also have the G allele are thought to be at particularly high risk of diabetes.

Use the information provided in parts c) and d) to suggest why individuals with the G allele who regularly work night shifts are thought to be at greater risk of type 2 diabetes.