Topic 6—C: Homeostasis- 3. Diabetes and blood glucose concentration

Question 1

What is diabetes?

Answer 1

• It’s a condition where blood glucose concentration can’t be controlled properly

Question 2

What are the 2 types of diabetes?

Answer 2

• Type 1
• Type 2

Question 3

Type 1 diabetes

Answer 3

• The immune system attacks the B cells in the islets of langerhans so they can’t produce any insulin
• After eating, the blood glucose level rises and stays high (hyperglycaemia)
• This can result in death if left untreated
• The kidneys can’t reabsorb all this glucose so some of it is excreted in the urine
• It’s treated with insulin therapy
• Most people with it need regular insulin injections throughout the day
• Insulin therapy needs to be controlled because too much can produce a dangerous drop in blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia)
• eating regularly and controlling simple carbohydrate intake helps to avoid a sudden rise in glucose
• Scientists have found some people have a genetic predisposition to developing type 1 diabetes
• They also think that the disease may be triggered by a viral infection

Question 4

Type 2 diabetes

Answer 4

• Usually acquired later in life than type 1
• Linked with obesity
• More likely in people with a family history of the condition
• Risk factors include lack of exercise, age and poor diet
• Type 2 diabetes occurs when the b cells don’t produce enough insulin or when the body cells don’t respond properly to insulin
• Cells don’t respond properly because the insulin receptors on their membranes don’t work properly so the cells don’t take up enough glucose
• This means the blood glucose concentration is higher than normal
• It can be treated by eating a healthy, balanced diet, losing weight and regular exercise
• Glucose, lowering medication can be taken if diet and exercise can’t control it
• Eventually insulin injections may be needed

Question 5

Responses to type 2 diabetes

Answer 5

• It’s becoming increasingly common in the UK
• Linked to. Increasing levels of obesity, move towards more unhealthy diets and low levels of physical activity
• Type 2 diabetes can cause additional health problems e.g. visual impairment, kidney failure
• Health advisors are keen to educate people about the risks and reduce the incidence of disease
• Some people think the food industry has a role to play in tackling the problem

Question 6

Response to health advisors

Answer 6

• To reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, health advisors recommend that people eat a diet that’s low in fat, sugar and salt, with plenty of whole grains, fruit and vegetables, take regular exercise and lose weight if necessary
• Campaigns like the NHS’s Change4Life aim to educate people on how to have a healthier diet and lifestyle and so reduce their risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes.
• Health advisors have also challenged the food industry to reduce the advertising of junk food to improve the nutritional value of their products and to use clearer labelling on products which allows consumers to make healthier choices about what to buy

Question 7

Response of food companies

Answer 7

• Some food companies have attempted to make their products more healthy e.g. by using sugar alternatives to sweeten food and drinks and by reducing the sugar, fat and salt content of products
• But there is pressure on companies to increase profits, as there reluctant to spend money developing new, healthier alternatives if the more unhealthy products are still popular and generate lots of profit
• They say that the industry will only respond fully in the long term