Insulin

Question 1

what type of hormone is insulin

Answer 1

peptide hormone

Question 2

describe the therapeutic window of insulin

Answer 2

extremely narrow

Question 3

what cells secrete insulin

Answer 3

beta cells of pancreatic islets

Question 4

what is the compound produced by beta cells which is then cleaved to form insulin, and what else does it form

Answer 4

proinsulin, the cleaving of which produces insulin and C(connecting) peptide

Question 5

what are the 3 different regions of proinsulin

Answer 5

A chain, B chain(of insulin) and C peptide

Question 6

what enzyme cleaves the proinsulin

Answer 6

calcium dependant endopeptidases PC2 and PC3

Question 7

what bonds are found between the A and B chain of insulin

Answer 7

disulphide bridges

Question 8

how can the properties of insulin be changed

Answer 8

by swapping/adding amino acids in the A or B chains of insulin to give a shorter or longer half life

Question 9

what form of ultrafast/ultra short-acting insulin is most commonly used on the UK, and when would it be used

Answer 9

insulin lispro, used 15 mins after meals

Question 10

what form of ultra long-acting insulin is most commonly used in UK, and when would it be used

Answer 10

Glargine, used as single bed time does