Metabolic Disorders

Question 1

What is anabolism?

Answer 1

the synthesis of complex molecules in living organisms from simpler ones together with the storage of energy; constructive metabolism.

Question 2

What is catabolism?

Answer 2

is the set of metabolic pathways that breaks down molecules into smaller units that are either oxidized to release energy or used in other anabolic reactions. Catabolism breaks down large molecules into smaller units.

Question 3

What is metabolism?

Answer 3

is the set oflife-sustainingchemical reactionsinorganisms. The three main purposes of metabolism are: the conversion of the energy in food toenergyavailable to run cellular processes; the conversion of food to building blocks forproteins,lipids,nucleic acids, and somecarbohydrates; and the elimination ofmetabolic wastes.

Question 4

Explain the thyroxine production process.

Answer 4

Stress or cold stimuli induce the hypothalamus to produce TRH which then stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release TSH which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4(Thyroxine).

Question 5

How is thyroxine secretion regulated?

Answer 5

Through a negative feedback system like most hormonal systems.

Question 6

What is hyperthyroidism? Causes?

Answer 6

Hyperthyroidism is the over secretion of thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by a variety of stimuli (e.g. tumors in the hormone glands).

Question 7

Effects, and treatments of hyperthyroidism?

Answer 7

Effects include increased BMR, weight loss, irritability, etc…
Treatments include oral radioactive iodine, beta-blockers, surgery, etc…

Question 8

What is hypothyroidism? What are the 2 types of hypothyroidism?

Answer 8

Hypothyroidism is the under production of hormone.
Congenital; condition resulting from an under-developed thyroid gland or a thyroid gland that cannot produce hormone due to a problem in the ‘production line’.
Acquired; lack of thyroid hormones caused by autoimmune disease (e.g. hashimoto disease)

Question 9

Causes, effects, and treatments of hypothyroidism?

Answer 9

The condition can be triggered by the lack of dietary iodine. Effects include low BMR, weight gain, slow reflexes, etc…
Treatments include daily hormone tablets (e.g. Levothyroxine T4)

Question 10

What is PKU?

Answer 10

A condition where there is a congenital lack of liver enzyme (phenylalanine hydroxylase) which prevents phenylalanine being converted to tyrosine. Essentially, causes phenylalanine to build up in the body.

Question 11

What kind of disease is PKU?

Answer 11

Autosomal recessive genetic disorder.

Question 12

Diagnosis, effects, and treatments of PKU?

Answer 12

Guthrie test (neonatal screening) to find in-borne metabolic errors. Treatments include life-long low protein diet.
If PKU is untreated the following effects occur: elevated phenylalanine causes brain damage(damage to neurotransmitter production) and affects melanin production (causes lighter skin, hair, eye color).

Question 13

What is DM?

Answer 13

A disorder where the body cannot produce or doesn’t respond to insulin normally, causing blood sugar level to remain elevated.

Question 14

Causes and effects of DM?

Answer 14

DM typically caused by insulin hormone issues. Main effects include: loss of carb tolerance and change in metabolism of fat and protein.

Question 15

What is the difference between Type 1 & 2 Diabetes?

Answer 15

Type 1; genetic, autoimmune disease, in which the pancreas produces little to no insulin.
Type 2; metabolic disorder that causes impairment in the way the body regulated glucose as a fuel.

Question 16

What is the process of insulin action in Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 16

Insulin mediates an increase in glucose transporter proteins in cell membranes, which remove glucose from the blood via facilitated diffusion.

Question 17

What is the process of blood glucose regulation? And what are the normal measures?

Answer 17

Normal; 4-8mmol/L
Fasting; 4-6mmol/L
After eating; 7.8mmol/L

Question 18

Describe Type 1 & 2 Diabetes.

Answer 18

Type 1; chronic immune-mediated disorder where pancreatic beta-cells destroyed. Features: insulin absent and glucagon elevated, patients typically have antibodies against insulin and other beta-cells antigens in their blood.
Type 2; typically insulin resistance occurs at target tissues and elevated blood glucose levels results.

Question 19

Name some medications used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.

Answer 19

Insulin; lowers blood glucose
Glinides; stimulates pancreatic beta-cells to release more insulin.
Sulfonylurea(e.g. amaryl); stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin.

Question 20

What is pre-diabetes?

Answer 20

Pre-diabetes is when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but lower that the diabetes threshold level.

Question 21

Diagnosis tests for pre-diabetes?

Answer 21

1. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG); 8hrs fasting glucose is elevated but not high enough to be classed as diabetes.
2. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); body’s response to a glucose meal is impaired.

Question 22

What are some environmental triggers for diabetes?

Answer 22

Infectious agents; viruses (e.g. coxsackie)
Maternal Vit D deficiency
Environmental pollutants; persistent organic pollutants (e.g. arsenic)

Question 23

Effects of insulin deficiency?

Answer 23

In the absences of insulin glucose cannot be used by most body cells so protein and fat is used instead which results in a build up of glucose in the blood which is typically excreted in the urine.

Question 24

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Answer 24

Increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, irritability, etc…

Question 25

What is hypoglycaemia/hyperglycaemia? And the difference between the two?

Answer 25

Hypoglycaemia; low level of blood sugar in the blood, caused often by a complication in insulin therapy.
Hyperglycemia; high level of blood sugar in the blood(aggravated by elevated fatty acids and ketones), caused often by lack of activity and excess in caloric intake.

Question 26

What are the symptoms of hyper/hypoglycaemia?

Answer 26

Hypoglycaemia; sweating, rapid-pulse, weakness, etc…

Hyperglycemia; extreme thirst, frequent urination, etc…

Question 27

What happens to the body as a result of long term untreated diabetes?

Answer 27

Results in degenerative disorders of vascular system and nervous tissue: nephropathy, neuropathy, etc…