Blood Glucose Regulation Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment in the body despite changes in the external environment
What is glucose?
a six carbon carbohydrate that comes from the food we eat
What is glycogen?
A polysaccharide of glucose that stores energy. Serves as the main storage of glucose in the body
What is glycogenesis?
the proccess of creating glycogen from glucose
What is glycogenolysis?
The process of breaking down glycogen into glucose
What is the pancreas?
An organ of the digestive and endocrine system that releases both digestive jucies and hormones. Acts as receptor in stimulus response model
What are the islets of Langerhans?
regions of the pancreas that contain cells that secrete hormones
What are alpha cells?
cells that occupy the islets of Langerhans and secrete glucagon
What are beta cells?
cells that occupy the islets of Langerhans and secrete insulin
What is glucagon?
a hormone secreted by alpha cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are low
What is standard point of blood glucose?
5mmol/L
What happens when blood glucose levels increase, and insulin is released? (skeletal muscles and fat cells)
cells with absorb more glucose from the blood, as insulin will bind to the cells and glucose transporters are inserted into the cell’s membrane, thus increasing the amount og glucose that can be absorbed by the cell via facilitated diffusion.
the extra glucose can be used by the mitochondria to create energy
