Blood Glucose Concentration

• Insulin

  • decreases blood glucose concentration
  • makes cell membranes more permeable to glucose, allowing more glucose to diffuse into the liver and muscle cells
  • stimulates the liver and muscle cells to convert excess glucose into glycogen for storage
  • increases use of glucose for respiration
  • lack of secretion causes diabetes as glucose cannot be stored or utilised by cells
• Glucagon


  • increases blood glucose concentration
  • stimulates conversion of glycogen into glucose
  • stimulates conversion of fats and amino acids into glucose
• Maintaining Blood Glucose Concentration


  • blood glucose concentration rises/falls below normal
  • islets of Langerhans in the pancreas are stimulated
  • islets of Langerhans secrete insulin/glucagon into bloodstream
  • blood transports insulin/glucagon to liver and muscles
  • action of hormones
  • blood glucose concentration decreases/increases back to normal, providing feedback to islets of Langerhans to reduce hormone production
• Type 2 diabetes


  • develops when the target cells do not respond well to insulin
  • healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes (eat foods that are low in calories, high in fibre, engage in more physical activity)