Control of blood glucose including endocrine pancreas

Question 1

Normal fasting blood glucose

Answer 1

4.4 to 6.1

Question 2

What does normal fasting blood glucose mean

Answer 2

The normal level when we’ve just eaten a meal

Question 3

Too low

Answer 3

Hypoglycemia

Question 4

Level of blood glucose in hypoglycemia

Answer 4

Below 2.8

Not enough energy to key systems - shaky, confused, sweaty

Question 5

Too high

Answer 5

Hyperglycemia

Question 6

Level of blood glucose in hyperglycemia

Answer 6

Above or around 11.1
Polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria
Over time can cause damage to the kidneys, CVS

Question 7

What does endocrine mean

Answer 7

Substances that are secreted directly into the blood stream via glands

Question 8

What does exocrine mean

Answer 8

Secretion of a substance through a duct

Question 9

Function of alpha islets

Answer 9

Produce glucagon - 15-20%

Question 10

Function of beta islets

Answer 10

Produce insulin - 65-80%

Question 11

Mechanism of when blood glucose is too high

Answer 11

Triggers the beta cells to release insulin
Then promotes liver to uptake more glucose and store it as glycogen
Promotes the uptake of glucose into tissues by GLUT4
Promotes synthesis of proteins and fatty acids
Glycogenesis - glucose to glycogen

Question 12

Mechanism of when blood glucose is too low

Answer 12

Triggers the alpha cells to release glucagon
Then promotes liver to break down glycogen and release it into the blood stream as glucose
Promotes release of GLUT4 out of tissues
Reduces fatty acid and protein synthesis
Glucogenolysis - breakdown of glycogen into glucose

Question 13

What is gluconeogensis

Answer 13

Formation of glucose from amino acids or fats

Question 14

Function of insulin

Answer 14

Lower blood sugar

Question 15

Function of glucagon

Answer 15

Increase blood sugar

Question 16

Hormones that lower blood glucose other than insulin

Answer 16

Amylin
GLP-1
Somatostatin

Question 17

Hormones that increase blood glucose other than glucagon

Answer 17

Asprosin
Epinephrine
Cortisol

Question 18

What is type 1 diabetes

Answer 18

Cannot produce enough insulin

Treatment: lifestyle, diet and administration of insulin

Question 19

What is type 2 diabetes

Answer 19

Caused by lifestyle and genetic factors 
Obesity and inactivity 
Insulin resistance 
Onset is generally after the age of 40 
Metformin - reduces gluconeogenesis

Question 20

What is a glycemic index

Answer 20

How much glucose comes out of your food straight when you eat it

Question 21

Low glycemic index

Answer 21

Release glucose suddenly so no peak

Question 22

How to treat a conscious diabetic patient displaying hypoglycemia

Answer 22

Glucose tablets

Question 23

How to treat an unconscious diabetic patient displaying hypoglycemia

Answer 23

Glucagon injection kit - allow release of glucose