Key Area 8- Blood Glucose Levels and Obesity

Question 1

What does chronic elevation of blood glucose levels lead to?

Answer 1

This leads to endothelium cells
taking in more glucose than normal, damaging the blood vessels

Question 2

What two types of damage can be done?

Answer 2

. Microvascular, due to damage to small blood vessels
. Macrovascular, due to damage to larger blood vessels

Question 3

What can small blood vessels damaged by elevated glucose levels result in?

Answer 3

. Haemorrhage of blood vessels in the retina leading to damage to the eyes (retinopathy) leading to blindness
. Haemorrhage of blood vessels in the kidney nephrons to kidneys (nephropathy) leading to renal failure
. Peripheral nerve dysfunction (neuropathy) leading to diabetic foot disorders, which include severe infections leading to amputation

Question 4

What is the response to elevated blood glucose levels?

Answer 4

. The pancreatic receptors respond to raised blood glucose levels by increasing secretion of insulin from the pancreas
. Insulin activates the conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver decreasing blood glucose concentration

Question 5

What is the response to lowered blood glucose levels?

Answer 5

. The pancreatic receptors respond to lowered blood glucose levels by increasing secretion of glucagon from the pancreas
. Glucagon activates the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver increasing blood glucose concentrations

Question 6

What happens to glucose levels during fight or flight?

Answer 6

The glucose levels are raised by adrenaline, which is released from the adrenal glands and stimulates glucagon secretion and inhibits insulin secretion

Question 7

Describe Type 1 diabetes.

Answer 7

.Occurs in 5-10% of cases
. Usually occurs in childhood
.Normal or underweight body mass
. Pancreatic cells are unable to produce insulin
.Sensitivity levels are normal as normal level of receptors
. Treated with regular doses of insulin and monitoring of injections

Question 8

Describe Type 2 diabetes.

Answer 8

. Occurs in
. Usually develops later in life
. Overweight or obese body mass
. Insulin is able to be produced by pancreatic cells
. Less sensitivity as lower level of receptors therefore failure to convert glucose to glycogen
. Treated with a controlled diet and increased exercise to lose weight
.

Question 9

What are the steps in the glucose tolerance test?

Answer 9

. The blood glucose concentrations of the individual are initially measured after fasting
. The individual then drinks a glucose solution and changes in their blood glucose concentration are measured for at least for at least the next two hours
. The blood glucose concentration of a diabetic usually starts at a higher level than of a non-diabetic
. During the the test a diabetic’s blood glucose concentration increases to a much higher level than of a non-diabetic and takes longer to return to its starting concentration

Question 10

What is obesity?

Answer 10

Excess body fat in relation to lean body tissue (muscle)

Question 11

What is the formula for BMI?

Answer 11

BMI= body mass (kg) / height squared

Question 12

What BMI indicates obesity?

Answer 12

A BMI greater than 30

Question 13

What are the causes of obesity?

Answer 13

. Obesity is linked to high fat diets and a decrease in physical activity
. The energy intake in the diet should limit fats and free sugars, as fats have a high calorific value per gram and free sugars require no metabolic energy to be expended in their digestion

Question 14

What are the exercise advantages for obesity?

Answer 14

. Exercise increases energy expenditure and preserves lean tissue
. Exercise can help to reduce risk factors for CVD by keeping weight until control, minimising stress, reducing stress, reducing hypertension and improving HDL blood lipid profiles