Controlling Blood Glucose

Question 1

Blood glucose is controlled as part of_?

Answer 1

Homeostasis.

Question 2

What are the two hormones involved in controlling blood glucose level?

Answer 2

Insulin and glucagon.

Question 3

What does eating foods containing carbohydrate put into the blood from the gut?

Answer 3

Glucose (type of sugar).

Question 4

The normal _ of cells removes glucose from the blood.

Answer 4

metabolism

Question 5

Vigorous _ removes much more glucose from the blood than the normal metabolism of cells.

Answer 5

exercise

Question 6

What can excess glucose be stored as in the liver and in the muscles?

Answer 6

Glycogen.

Question 7

What must the level of glucose in the blood be kept as?

Answer 7

Steady.

Question 8

What are changes monitored and controlled by? Using what hormones? In what cycle?

Answer 8

Monitored and controlled by the pancreas, using insulin and glucagon, in a negative feedback cycle.

Question 9

Describe the process that happens when blood glucose levels are too high. (insulin is added)

Answer 9

1. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas.
2. Insulin makes the liver turn glucose into glycogen.
3. Glucose moves from the blood into the liver and muscle cells.
4. Blood glucose is reduced

Question 10

Describe the process that happens when blood glucose levels are too low. (glucagon is added)

Answer 10

1. Glucagon is secreted by the pancreas
2. Glucagon makes liver turn glycogen into glucose
3. Glucose released into the blood by the liver
4. Blood glucose is increased

Question 11

What is diabetes?

Answer 11

A condition that affects your ability to control your blood sugar level.

Question 12

What is type 1 diabetes?

Answer 12

Where the pancreas produces little or no insulin. This means a person’s blood glucose level can rise to a level that can kill them.
People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin therapy - this usually involves several injections of insulin throughout the day, most likely at mealtimes. This makes sure that glucose is removed from the blood quickly once the food has been digested, stopping the level getting too high. It’s a very effective treatment.
The amount of insulin that needs to be injected depends on the person’s diet and how active they are. As well as insulin therapy, people with Type 1 diabetes need to think about limiting the intake of food rich in simple carbohydrates, e.g. sugars (which cause the blood glucose to rise rapidly) and taking regular exercise (which helps remove excess glucose from the blood).

Question 13

What is type 2 diabetes?

Answer 13

Where a person becomes resistant to their own insulin (they still produce insulin, but their body’s cells don’t respond properly to the hormone). This can also cause a person’s blood sugar level to rise to a dangerous level. Being overweight can increase your chance of developing Type 2 diabetes, as obesity is a major risk factor in the development of the disease. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by eating a carbohydrate-controlled diet and getting regular exercise.