Blood glucose regulation

Question 1

What is glucose?

Answer 1

A fuel obtained from food/carbohydrates, which provides energy for the cell and enables cellular respiration. It is distributed in solution of blood plasma.

Question 2

What are the normal levels of blood glucose?

Answer 2

3.9-5.5 millimoles per litre

Question 3

Where is insulin created and released?

Answer 3

From the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas.

Question 4

Where is glucagon created and released?

Answer 4

In the alpha sells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Question 5

What is it called when glucose is stored in liver and muscle cells?

Answer 5

Glycogen.

Question 6

Explain what happens in hyperglycemia.

Answer 6

Blood glucose levels are above normal range.
Chemoreceptor cells in pancreas detect this change. More insulin is secreted by beta cells, and insulin binds to receptor molecules of the liver and muscles and upon entering them, it is stored as glucose.

Question 7

Explain what happens in hypoglycemia.

Answer 7

Blood glucose levels are below the normal range.
Chemoreceptor cells in pancreas detect this change. More glucagon is secreted by the alpha cells, and glucagon binds to receptor molecules of the liver. This causes stored glycogen to be broken down into glucose, which is released into bloodstream
Glucagon also stimulates synthesis of more glucose.

Question 8

What is diabetes and what is its major symptom?

Answer 8

The inability to produce insulin, or insulin can’t be metabolised correctly. Glucose in urine.

Question 9

Distinguish between the types of diabetes

Answer 9

type one: early onset, insulin production fails. Insulin injection required
Type two: gradual inability to produce and metabolise insulin. Might require modified diet, oral medication and/or injections
Gestational: develops only during pregnancy. Requires diet.