Blood Glucose Levels and Obesity Flashcards
Describe the effect of chronic
elevation of blood glucose levels on
ENDOTHELIUM CELLS
The cells take in more glucose than
normal, damaging blood vessels
which can lead to atherosclerosis
Describe the effect elevated blood
glucose levels can have on small blood
vessels
-peripheral nerve dysfunction
-Haemorrhage of blood vessels in the retina,
-KIDNEY failure
Describe how the pancreas responds
to raised blood glucose levels
Receptors in the pancreas detect raised blood glucose and the pancreas increases the secretion of insulin
State the function of insulin and its
effects on blood glucose
Insulin activates the conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver resulting in a reduction in blood glucose concentration
Describe how the pancreas responds
to lowered blood glucose levels
Receptors in the pancreas detect
lowered blood glucose and the
pancreas increases the secretion of
glucagon
State the function of glucagon and
its effects on blood glucose
Glucagon activates the conversion of
glycogen into glucose in the liver,
increasing the blood glucose level
Explain how blood glucose levels are
raised during exercise and fight and
flight responses
Glucose concentrations in the blood are
raised by adrenaline, released by the adrenal glands, stimulating glucagon secretion and inhibiting secretion of insulin
State the difference between the
stage of life at which Type 1 and
Type 2 diabetes develop
Type 1 usually occurs in childhood,
Type 2 develops later in life
Describe the effect of Type 1
diabetes on an individual
The individual is unable to produce
insulin and can be treated with
regular insulin injections
Describe the effect of Type 2
diabetes on an individual
Individuals produce insulin but their
cells are less sensitive to it (insulin
resistance)
State a method used to indicate
diabetes
Testing of urine for glucose
Why is glucose found in the urine of
diabetics?
Kidneys remove some of the excess
glucose, which then appears in the
urine
Describe the glucose tolerance test
Blood glucose concentration is initially measured after fasting.
The individual then drinks a glucose solution and changes in blood glucose levels are measured for at least two hours
Describe the difference in the blood
glucose concentration between
diabetic and non-diabetic individuals
The blood glucose concentration of a diabetic usually begins at a higher level, rises to a much higher level during the glucose
tolerance test and takes longer to return to its starting concentration
Explain the difference in the blood
glucose concentration between
diabetic and non-diabetic individual
The diabetic is unable to convert
glucose to glycogen and therefore
concentration stays high
State the 2 diseases for which
obesity is a risk factor
CVD and type 2 diabetes
How is obesity characterised?
By excess body fat in relation to
lean body tissue such as
muscle
Define Body Mass Index (BMI) and
state a problem associated with it
Body mass index is commonly used
to measure obesity but can wrongly
classify muscular individuals as
obese
How is BMI calculated?
Body mass (kg) divided by height in
metres squared
State the BMI value that indicates
obesity
Over 30
Describe the lifestyle linked to
obesity
Individuals eating high fat diets and
physical inactivity
What dietary changes should be
made to reduce or avoid obesity?
The energy intake in the diet should
limit fats and free sugars
Explain why fats should be limited in
the diet
They have a high calorific value per
gram
Explain why free sugars should be
limited in the diet
Free sugars require no metabolic energy to be expended in their
digestion
