Diabetes

• What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

  To send slow hormone messages
• How does the response time of the endocrine system compare to the nervous system?

  The endocrine system has a slow response time compared to the rapid response of the nervous system
• What type of sugar is insulin associated with?

  Glucose
• What is glycogen and where is it stored?

  Glycogen is a storage form of glucose found in the liver and muscles
• What happens when blood glucose levels are too low?

  The pancreas releases glucagon
• What effect does glucagon have on blood glucose levels?

  It activates liver enzymes to convert glycogen into glucose, increasing blood glucose levels
• How do insulin and glucagon work together to control blood glucose levels?

  • Insulin decreases blood glucose levels by converting excess glucose into glycogen for storage
  • Glucagon increases blood glucose levels by converting glycogen back into glucose
• What is the normal range of blood glucose levels?

  80-120 mg glucose per 100 cm³ of blood
• What is hypoglycemia?

  It is a condition where blood glucose levels fall to very low levels
• What does the liver do in response to insulin?

  The liver converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage
• What are two reasons blood glucose levels might fall to very low levels?

  Not eating and exercising
• What does the pancreas do when glucose levels fall too low?

  It secretes glucagon
• What does the liver do in response to glucagon?

  The liver converts stored glycogen back to glucose
• What is diabetes?

  It is a condition where a person cannot control their blood glucose levels effectively
• How can diabetes be managed?

  • Diet: Limit sugar intake
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity
  • Insulin therapy: Injections to manage blood glucose levels
• What are the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

  Type 1:

  • Insulin dependent
  • Treatment: injected insulin
  • Pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin

  
  

  Type 2:

  • Non-insulin dependent
  • Treatment: controlled diet and exercise
  • Pancreas produces insulin but body cells do not respond to it
• What is a potential treatment option for Type 1 diabetes?

  A pancreas transplant
• What is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes?

  Obesity
• What happens if a pancreas transplant is rejected?

  The patient may need costly immunosuppressive therapy