control of blood glucose concentration Flashcards
Describe the factors that influence blood glucose concentration
● Consumption of carbohydrates → glucose absorbed into blood
● Rate of respiration of glucose - eg. increases during exercise due to muscle contraction
Describe the role of the liver in glycogenesis,
glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis
Glycogenesis
Converts glucose → glycogen
Glycogenolysis
Converts glycogen → glucose
Gluconeogenesis
Converts amino acids and/or
glycerol → glucose
Explain the action of insulin in decreasing blood glucose concentration
Beta cells in islets of Langerhans in pancreas detect blood glucose concentration is too high → secrete insulin:
● Attaches to specific receptors on cell surface membranes of target cells eg. liver / muscles
1. This causes more glucose channel proteins to join cell surface membrane
○ Increasing permeability to glucose
○ So more glucose can enter cell by facilitated diffusion
2. This also activates enzymes involved in conversion of glucose to glycogen (glycogenesis)
○ Lowering glucose concentration in cells, creating a concentration gradient
○ So glucose enters cell by facilitated diffusion
Explain the action of glucagon in increasing blood glucose concentration
Alpha cells in islets of Langerhans in pancreas detect blood glucose concentration is too low → secrete
glucagon:
● Attaches to specific receptors on cell surface membranes of target cells eg. liver
1. Activates enzymes involved in hydrolysis of glycogen to glucose (glycogenolysis)
2. Activates enzymes involved in conversion of glycerol / amino acids to glucose (gluconeogenesis)
● This establishes a concentration gradient → glucose enters blood by facilitated diffusion
Explain the role of adrenaline in increasing blood glucose concentration
Fear / stress / exercise → adrenal glands secrete adrenaline:
● Attaches to specific receptors on cell surface membranes of target cells eg. liver
● Activates enzymes involved in hydrolysis of glycogen to glucose (glycogenolysis)
● This establishes a concentration gradient → glucose enters blood by facilitated diffusion
Describe the second messenger model of adrenaline and glucagon action
Adrenaline / glucagon (‘first messengers’) attach to specific receptors on cell membrane which:
1. Activates enzyme adenylate cyclase (changes shape)
2. Which converts many ATP to many cyclic AMP (cAMP)
3. cAMP acts as the second messenger → activates protein kinase enzymes
4. Protein kinases activate enzymes to break down glycogen to glucose
Suggest an advantage of the second messenger model
● Amplifies signal from hormone
● As each hormone can stimulate production of many molecules of second messenger (cAMP)
● Which can in turn activate many enzymes for rapid increase in glucose
Compare the causes of types I and II diabetes
Both - higher and uncontrolled blood glucose concentration; higher peaks after meals and remains high
Type I
● Key point = β cells in islets of langerhans
in pancreas produce insufficient insulin
● Normally develops in childhood due to
an autoimmune response destroying β
cells of Islets of Langerhans
Type II
● Key point = receptor (faulty) loses responsiveness /
sensitivity to insulin (but insulin still produced)
● So fewer glucose transport proteins → less uptake of
glucose → less conversion of glucose to glycogen
● Risk factor = obesity
Describe how of type I diabetes can be controlled
● Injections of insulin
● Blood glucose concentration monitored with biosensors; dose of insulin matched to glucose intake
● Eat regularly and control carbohydrate intake eg. those that are broken down / absorbed slower
○ To avoid sudden rise in glucose
Suggest why insulin can’t be taken as a tablet by mouth
● Insulin is a protein
● Would be hydrolysed by endopeptidases / exopeptidases
Describe how of type II diabetes can be controlled
● Not normally treated with insulin injections but may use drugs which target
insulin receptors to increase their sensitivity
○ To increase glucose uptake by cells / tissues
● Reduce sugar intake (carbohydrates) / low glycaemic index → less absorbed
● Reduce fat intake → less glycerol converted to glucose
● More (regular) exercise → uses glucose / fats by increasing respiration
● Lose weight → increased sensitivity of receptors to insulin
Describe how you can evaluate the positions of health advisers and the food
industry in relation to the increased incidence of type II diabetes
● Health advisers aim - reduce risk of type II diabetes due to health problems caused (eg. kidney failure)
○ So need to reduce obesity as it is a risk factor
● Food industry aim - maximise profit
