Unit 2 KA8 - blood glucose levels and obesity Flashcards
describe the effects of chronic elevation of blood glucose levels
endothelium cells take in more glucose than normal
this damages the blood vessels
atherosclerosis may develop
this leads to cardiovascular disease, stroke or peripheral vascular disease
small blood vessels damaged by elevated blood glucose levels may result in hemorrhage of blood vessels in the retina, renal failure or peripheral nerve dysfunction
how are blood glucose levels controlled?
the pancreas monitor the concentration of glucose in the blood
receptor cells in the pancreas detect changes in blood glucose concentration
what happens when blood glucose increases?
the pancreatic receptors respond to raised blood glucose levels by increasing secretion of insulin from the pancreas
insulin travels in the blood to the liver
insulin activates the conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver
blood glucose concentration decreases
what happens when blood glucose decreases?
the pancreatic receptors respond to lowered blood sugar levels by increasing secretion of glucagon from the pancreas
glucagon travels in the blood to the liver
glucagon activates the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver
blood glucose concentration increases
describe the role of adrenaline during exercise and flight or fight
raises glucose concentrations in the blood
released from the adrenal glands
stimulates glucagon secretion from the pancreas and inhibits the secretion of insulin
what is diabetes?
a condition whereby sufferers are unable to control their blood glucose levels
type 1 diabetes - ……. onset
typical body mass of sufferer - …………
ability of pancreatic cells to produce insulin - ……….
sensitivity of cells to insulin - ………….
treatment - ……….
juvenile
normal or underweight
absent
cells have normal levels of insulin receptors
regular injections of insulin and careful diet
type 2 diabetes - …….. onset
typical body mass of sufferer - ……….
ability of pancreatic cells to produce insulin - ………..
sensitivity of cells to insulin - ……..
treatment - ……….
adult
overweight or obese
present
cells have less insulin receptors making them less sensitive (or resistant) to insulin. a decrease in receptors in the liver leads to a failure to convert glucose into glycogen
exercise, weight loss and diet control. in some cases insulin
how is testing for diabetes possible? what is the test called?
in both cases of diabetes, individual blood concentrations will rise rapidly after a meal
the kidneys will remove some of this glucose, resulting in glucose appearing in urine
this allows for testing of urine for glucose as an indicator of diabetes
glucose tolerance test
how is the glucose tolerance test carried out?
the blood glucose concentration of an individual are initially measured after fasting
the individual then drinks a glucose solution
changes in their blood glucose concentration are measured for at least the next two hours
how does the glucose tolerance test indicate diabetes?
a blood glucose concentration of a diabetic will start higher than a non-diabetic
durign the test a diabetic’s blood glucose concentration increases to a much higher level that a non-diabetic and takes longer to return to its starting concentration
what is obesity a major risk factor of?
cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
obesity is characterised by…….
excess body fat in relation to lean body tissue such as muscle
how is a person’s BMI calculated?
weight (kg) divided by height squared (meters)
a BMI greater than …… indicates obesity
30
