Control Of Blood Glucose

Question 1

What happens when blood glucose levels are TOO HIGH?

Answer 1

• After eating a meal w/ carbohydrates = blood glucose increases
• The hormone INSULIN is produced
• INSULIN is secreted by the PANCREAS into the bloodstream
• Causes body cells to take up more GLUCOSE
• Target: Liver cells to take up GLUCOSE and convert to STORAGE MOLECULE: GLYCOGEN
• DECREASES THE BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS

Question 2

What happens when blood glucose levels are TOO LOW?

Answer 2

• Blood has little glucose
• Detected by the PANCREAS
• PANCREAS secretes GLUCAGON into the blood
• Causes the glycogen stored in liver + muscle cells to convert to GLUCOSE
• Glucose enters blood + increases blood glucose levels

Question 3

What is type 1 diabetes?

Answer 3

• A condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin
• This means their blood glucose can rise to a very high level, which can kill them

Question 4

How can type 1 diabetes be treated?

Answer 4

• Insulin therapy - injecting insulin into the subcutaneous tissue under the skin. Enters the blood steam once the food has been digested to ensure the glucose is quickly removed.
• Amount depends on : activity + diet
• Limiting the intake of foods rich in simple carbohydrates
• Regular exercise removes excess glucose

Question 5

What is type 2 diabetes?

Answer 5

A condition where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin/they become resistant to insulin (their body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin)

Blood glucose levels rise as a result

Question 6

What is the correlation between type 2 diabetes and obesity?

Answer 6

Obese people have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes - positive correlation

Question 7

How can type 2 diabetes be controlled (2 ways)?

Answer 7

• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Losing weight (if needed)
• Medication/insulin injections