B11.2 The control of blood glucose levels Flashcards
Why is it important to have a constant supply of glucose?
For respiration
What does the pancreas do?
Monitors and controls your blood concentrations using 2 hormones such as insulin
What happens after you eat a meal?
Blood glucose levels rise and pancreas produce insulin
What does insulin do?
Allow glucose to move from the blood into your cells
Soluble glucose is converted into an insoluble carbohydrate called glycogen which is stored in the liver and in muscles
How does obesity occur?
Excess glucose is converted into lipids and stored.
As more lipids are stored you eventually become obese
What happens if there is a low amount of glucose in your body?
Glycogen is converted into glucose
What does glucogan do?
Makes liver break down glycogen converting it back into glucose - converting it back into glucose
What is a negative feedback control?
Switching between hormones to maintain a constant system
What happens after when a healthy person eats a meal?
Concentration of glucose rises in the blood which causes the pancreas to release insulin
Insulin causes glucose to enter cells of where it is used for respiration
Excess glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and the muscles
Leads to the person having a low amount of glucose then the pancreas releases glucagon which breaks down glycogen into glucose
Glucose then can be transported through the bloodstream to the target organ
What is Type 1 diabetes?
When your pancreas does not make enough or any insulin - your blood glucose concentration is not controlled
What is the problems with Type 1 Diabetes?
Your kidneys excrete glucose in your urine due to blood glucose being very high
Causes you to produce a lot of urine and feel thirsty
Without insulin glucose cannot get into your cell - so you feel tried and lack energy
You break down fat and protein to use as fuel instead so you lose weight
Is Type 1 diabetes genetic or not?
It has some genetic element
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Where the pancreas does make insulin but may make less than your body needs.
Most importantly, your body cells stop responding properly to the insulin you make.
Why does Type 2 diabetes occur?
It gets more common as people get older and is often linked to obeisity
