The Endoctrine System And Controlling Blood Glucose

Question 1

What is the other way to send information around the body (apart from along nerves)?

Answer 1

Using hormones

Question 2

What are hormones?

Answer 2

Chemical molecules released directly into the blood. They are carried in the blood to other parts of the body, but only affect particular cells in particular organs (target organs).

Question 3

Where are hormones produced and what are they secreted by?

Answer 3

They are produced in and secreted by various glands, called endoctrine glands.

Question 4

Effects of hormones (long-lasting?)

Answer 4

Relatively long-lasting effects

Question 5

Examples of glands (six)

Answer 5

The Pituitary gland
Ovaries -females only
Testes - male only
Thyroid
Adrenal gland
The Pancreas

Question 6

What does the Pituitary gland do?

Answer 6

Produces many hormones that regulate body conditions. These hormones act on other glands, directing them to release hormones that bring change.

Question 7

What do the ovaries do?

Answer 7

Produce oestrogen, which is involved in the menstrual cycle

Question 8

What do the testes do?

Answer 8

Produce testosterone, which controls puberty and sperm production

Question 9

What does the thyroid do?

Answer 9

Produces thyroxine, which is involved in regulating things like the rate of metabolism, heart rate, and temperature.

Question 10

What does the adrenal gland do?

Answer 10

Produces adrenaline, which is used to prepare the body for a ‘flight or fight’ response.

Question 11

What does the pancreas do?

Answer 11

Produces insulin, which is used to regulate the blood glucose level.

Question 12

Major 3 differences between nerves and hormones

Answer 12

Nerves have very fast action, whereas hormones have slower action.
Nerves act for a very short time, whereas hormones act for a longer time.
Nerves act on a very precise area, whereas hormones act in a more general way.

Question 13

Why do nerves need to act faster than hormones?

Answer 13

Some information needs to be passed to the effectors really quickly, like pain signals, or information about danger you see from your eyes to your brain. Hormones would be too slow and no good here.

Question 14

Example of a hormone acting for a longer time

Answer 14

When you get a shock, a hormone called adrenaline is released into the body. This causes the fight or flight response and prepares the body for action. You can tell this is hormonal because you feel a bit wobbly for a while afterwards.

Question 15

Blood glucose is also controlled as part of …..?

Answer 15

Homeostasis

Question 16

What are the two hormones involved in the control of blood glucose in homeostais?

Answer 16

Insulin and glucagon

Question 17

How does the body control blood glucose (not mentioning insulin and glucagon)?

Answer 17

1) Eating foods conating carbs puts glucose (type of sugar) into the blood from the gut
2) Normal metabolism of cells removes glucose from the blood
3) Vigorous excerise removes much more glucose from the blood
4) Excess glucose can be stored as glycogen in the liver and in the muscles

Question 18

In summary why does the body use insulin and glucagon to control the level of glucose in the blood?

Answer 18

The level of glucose in the blood must be kept steady. Changes are monitored and controlled by the pancreas, using the hormones insulin and glucagon, in a negative feedback cyle.

Question 19

Explain the negative feedback cycle of insulin and blood glucose level (edit)

Answer 19

If the blood glucose level is too HIGH, insulin is added.

1. The blood has too much glucose
2. Insulin is then secreted by the pancreas
3. Then there may still be too much glucose but there is insulin as well
4. Glucose and insulin move from the blood into the liver and muscle cells
5. The insulin the liver turn the glucose into glycogen.
6. Blood glucose is reduced

Question 20

Explain the negative feedback cycle of glycagon and blood glucose level (edit)

Answer 20

If the blood glucose level is too LOW, glucagon is added.

1. The blood has too little glucose
2. Glucagon is secreted by the pancreas
3. There is still too little glucose, but there is glucagon as well.
4. Glucagon goes to the liver
5. The glucagon makes the liver turn glycogen into glucose
6. The glucose is relased into the blood by the liver
7. The blood glucose is increased

Question 21

What is diabetes?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What does Type 1 diabetes mean for a person?

Answer 22

This is where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, meaning that a person’s blood glucose can rise to a level that can kill them.

Question 23

How is type 1 diabetes treated?

Answer 23

They need insulin therapy
Limit intake of food rich in simple carbohydrates, e.g. sugars (which cause the blood glucose to rise rapidly)
Take regular excericise, which helps to remove excess glucose from the blood

Question 24

Explain how insulin therapy is used to treat type 1 diabetes

Answer 24

This usually involves several injections of insulin throughout the day, mostly at mealtimes, making sure that the 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.

Question 25

What does the amount of insulin that needs to be injected depend on?

Answer 25

The person’s diet

How active the person is

Question 26

What does type 2 diabetes mean for a person?

Answer 26

This is where a person becomes resistant to their own insulin, so they still produce insulin, but their body cells don’t respond properly to the hormone. This can also cause a person’s blood sugar level to rise to a dangerous level.

Question 27

How can type 2 diabetes be controlled?

Answer 27

Eating a carbohydrate-controlled diet

Getting regualr excercise

Question 28

What can increase your chance of developing type 2 diabetes?

Answer 28

Being overweight, as obesity is a major risk factor in the development of the disease.

Question 29

Equipment for maths

Answer 29

Protractor and compass

Question 30

Reminder

Answer 30

Reuqired practicals deck now