Unit 2: Physiology & Health - Key Area 8: Blood Glucose Levels and Obesity Flashcards

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1
Q

What are normal blood glucose levels?

A

5 millimoles per litre

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2
Q

If a person is suffering from diabetes what happens to their blood glucose levels?

A

Their level of blood glucose could become elevated to an abnormal level.

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3
Q

What happens if a persons has chronic elevated blood glucose levels?

A

The endothelial lining blood vessels absorb far too more glucose than normal. This causes damage to the blood vessels (atherosclerosis) and can lead to peripheral vascular disease, CVD or stroke.

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4
Q

How can a person get micro vascular disease and what can this cause?

A

When the endothelial cells lining a small vessel like an arteriole take in more glucose than normal, the layer of cells lining the wall becomes thicker but weaker. This causes the walls to lose their strength and burst and bleed into the surrounding tissues. Tissues could be affected by being flooded with leaked blood, or not receiving enough oxygen. This is called micro vascular disease and can affect the blood vessels in the retina, and can cause retinal failure or peripheral nerve dysfunction.

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5
Q

Why do cells need a supply of glucose?

A

For respiration for energy.

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6
Q

What are the organs and hormones involved in glucose balance?

A

Pancreas and liver. Insulin and glucagon.

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7
Q

When is insulin released into the body?

A

When glucose levels in the blood increase.

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8
Q

What does insulin turn glucose into?

A

Glycogen

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9
Q

When is glucagon released in the body?

A

When glucose levels in the blood decrease.

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10
Q

Where is glycogen found in the body?

A

In the liver.

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11
Q

Where is glucagon made in the body?

A

The pancreas.

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12
Q

Where does glucagon work in the body?

A

In the liver.

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13
Q

Where is glucose found in the body?

A

In the bloodstream.

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14
Q

What does glucagon turn glycogen into?

A

Glucose.

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15
Q

Where are both glucagon and insulin released from?

A

The pancreas.

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16
Q

Where do the hormones glucagon and insulin released from the pancreas travel to?

A

The liver where they can have an affect and regulate glucose levels in the blood.

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17
Q

What happens with regard to blood glucose after someone has eaten?

A

The person has a normal blood glucose level. They then eat something which causes an increase in blood glucose detected by the receptor cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then responds by releasing more insulin and less glucagon into the blood. The liver then converts glucose in the blood into glycogen fo storage. Blood glucose concentration returns back to a normal level.

18
Q

What happens with regard to blood glucose after someone has excercised?

A

The person has a normal blood glucose level. They then exercise which causes a decrease in blood glucose detected by receptor cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then responds by releasing more glucagon and less insulin into the blood. The liver now converts glycogen into glucose for release into the blood. The blood glucose concentration returns to a normal level.

19
Q

During a fight or flight reaction when the body needs additional supplies of glucose to provide energy quickly what do the adrenal glands secrete?

A

An increased volume of adrenaline into the bloodstream.

20
Q

Where is adrenaline secreted from?

A

The adrenal glands.

21
Q

How does adrenaline provide more glucose to the body?

A

Adrenaline overrides normal glucose control and inhibits the secretion of insulin and stimulates the secretion of glucagon. This promotes the breakdown of glycogen to glucose and increases blood sugar levels.

22
Q

What can people with diabetes not control?

A

Their blood glucose levels.

23
Q

At what stage of life does type 1 diabetes normally occur?

A

Childhood or early teens.

24
Q

At what stage of life does type 2 diabetes normally occur?

A

Adulthood

25
Q

What is the ability of people with type 1 diabetes to produce insulin?

A

They are unable to produce insulin.

26
Q

What is the ability of people with type 2 diabetes to produce insulin?

A

Able to produce insulin.

27
Q

What is the sensitivity of cells to insulin for people with type 1 diabetes?

A

Cells have the normal number of insulin receptors on their surface. They respond to the presence of insulin.

28
Q

What is the sensitivity of cells to insulin for people with type 2 diabetes?

A

Cells have decreased number of insulin receptors on their surface making them less sensitive to insulin. This means they cannot convert glucose to glycogen.

29
Q

What is the treatment of type 1 diabetes?

A

Regular injections of insulin and a careful diet.

30
Q

What is the treatment of type 2 diabetes?

A

Excercise, diet control, weight loss and in some cases insulin injections.

31
Q

In both type 1 and 2 diabetes what will happen to a sufferer after eating a meal?

A

Individuals blood glucose levels will increase rapidly after a meal and the kidneys are unable to cope resulting in glucose being lost in the urine.

32
Q

What is the test for diabetes?

A

The glucose tolerance test which shows how well the blood can deal with ingested glucose levels, by testing urine for glucose, and is used to diagnose diabetes.

33
Q

How does the glucose tolerance test work?

A

A person fasts and have their fasting blood glucose levels measured. Then they are given 250-300ml of glucose solution and their blood glucose levels are measured again over the next 2 hours. The blood glucose concentration of a diabetic usually starts at a higher level than that of a non-diabetic. During the test the diabetics blood glucose concentration rises to a much higher level than that of a non-diabetic and takes a longer time to return to its starting concentration.

34
Q

What obesity a major risk factor for?

A

Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

35
Q

What are factors that contribute to obesity?

A

Genetic, psychological, environmental and metabolic factors but the most common are thought to be excessive consumption of food rich in fats and free sugars combined with a lack of exercise.

36
Q

What is obesity categorised as?

A

Obesity is categorised as excess body fat in comparison to lean tissue such as muscle.

37
Q

How is BMI calculated?

A

BMI = weight (in kg) / height squared (in m)

38
Q

What BMI is indicates that a person is obese?

A

A BMI of over 30

39
Q

Why are there limitations to BMI?

A

Individuals like body builders have an unusual high percentage of muscle which would be wrongly classified as obese.

40
Q

What does exercise increase and prevent?

A

Exercise increases energy expenditure and prevents lean tissue.

41
Q

How can exercise help to reduce factors for CVD?

A

Exercise can help to reduce risk factors for CVD by:

  • Keeping obesity under control
  • Minimising stress
  • Reducing blood pressure
  • Improving HDL:LDL lipid profiles