blood sugar levels

Question 1

describe the role of the pancreas

Answer 1

involved in controlling blood glucose levels
made up of groups of cells called islets of Langerhans
alpha cells make glucagon
beta cells make insulin

Question 2

what may affect blood glucose levels before an experiment

Answer 2

if the person eats

Question 3

what happens when blood glucose too high

Answer 3

insulin made
insulin binds to glycoprotein receptor on target cell changing the tertiary structure
leads to more transport proteins for glucose becoming active by opening them
more glucose enters cells from blood which lowers conc in blood
insulin causes increase in activity of enzymes that convert glucose to glycogen (glycogenesis)
it also causes vesicles containing glucose transporters to fuse with the cell membrane by exocytosis allowing fac diffusion of glucose

Question 4

describe the three fancy processes that take place in the liver

Answer 4

glycogenesis = formation of glycogen from glucose
gluconeogenesis = making new glucose e.g liver can make it from amino acids and glycerol
glycogenolysis= break down of glycogen into glucose through hydrolysis reaction

Question 5

what happens when blood glucose is too low

Answer 5

second messenger model
hormone either glucagon or adrenaline binds to receptor site of a liver cell
causing the protein to change shape on the inside of the membrane leading to activation of an enzyme]the enzyme makes cyclic AMP from ATP which acts as the 2nd messenger
this binds to protein kinase enzyme changing its shape and activating it
leads to glycogenolysis diffuses into the blood

Question 6

describe how the liver is adapted for second messenger model

Answer 6

glycogen stored there so has lots of glucagon receptors

Question 7

describe type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Answer 7

type 1 = body unable to produce insulin could be due to autoimmune response attacking beta cells. controlled by injections develops at young age. cant be taken orally hormone protein and will be digested by alimentary canal

type 2= glycoprotein receptors don’t respond to insulin. or are lost may also be inadequate supply of insulin. diet and lack of exercise can be triggers. reducing carb intake and exercising more can solve