Endocrine System - 13.4 Flashcards
How is the pancreas connected to the intestine?
Through the pancreatic duct
Why is the pancreas called the “exocrine gland”?
It secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestines via the pancreatic duct
What is the islets of langerhans?
Cluster of pancreatic cells
What hormones does the beta cells secrete?
insulin
What does insulin do?
Lowers blood glucose levels
What hormones do the beta cells secrete?
glucagon
What does glucagon do?
It lowers blood glucose levels
What other hormones contribute to increasing blood glucose?
hGH, epinephrine, cortisol
What is diabetes mellitus?
Serious chronic condition with no cure (inadequate control of glucose levels)
When the body does not respond well to insulin or cannot produce it
What is hyperglycemia?
High blood glucose levels
What happens if the body has low glucose levels?
The cells in body remain impermeable to glucose
Has to rely on the breakdown of fats and proteins (more difficult)
Fat metabolism releases acetone - bad breath
What is type 1 diabeties?
Insulin dependent - juvenile diabeties
What is type 2 diabetes?
Non insulin depedent - adult onset
What causes type 1 diabetes?
The beta cells are destroyed by the immune system - unable to secrete insulin
What happens in type 2 diabetes?
The insulin receptors do not respond to diabetes
