B3.3.2 Controlling Blood Sugar

Question 1

Why is it important to control blood glucose levels?

Answer 1

Glucose is the energy source used predominantly in respiration to transter energy to ATP used by cells.
If levels rise too high this can damage blood vessels and nerves, increasing the risk of heart disease etc
If it fall too low this can prevent cells from respiring effectively.

Question 2

State two effects caused by insulin secretion.

Answer 2

More glucose is taken up by cells decreasing blood glucose levels
Glucose is converted to glycogen decreasing blood glucose levels

Question 3

What does the secretion of glucogon cause?

Answer 3

Glucogon secretions cause glycogen to be broken down into glucose to raise the blood glucose concentration

Question 4

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Answer 4

Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas is unable to produce (or does not produce enough) insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is where the body no longer responds to insulin.

Question 5

How can type 1 diabetes be treated?

Answer 5

Insulin injections
Insulin pump

Question 6

How can type 2 diabetes be treated? (4)

Answer 6

Reducing the number of simple carbohydrates in diet
Losing weight
Increasing exercise
Drugs to make insulin more effective in body cells / help the pancreas makes more insulin / reduce the amount of glucose absorbed from the gut

Question 7

What is insulin? (5)

Answer 7

If blood sugar levels are too high this is detected by the pancreas, which releases the hormone insulin. Insulin travels in the blood to the liver.
It stimulates the liver to turn glucose into glycogen by a series of enzyme-controlled reactions.
Glycogen is then stored in the liver.
As there is now less glucose in the blood, the blood sugar level falls.