Blood glucose

• Blood glucose concentration is monitored and controlled by the pancreas.
• Blood glucose can be increased by eating
• Blood glucose can decrease by vigorous exercise
• Excess glucose can be stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle cells
• When blood glucose is high

  • The pancreas detects it and releases insulin
  • Insulin causes glucose to move into cells
  • insulin causes the liver to convert glucose into glycogen
• When blood sugar is low

  • The pancreas detects it and releases glucagon
  • Glucagon causes the liver to convert glycogen to glucose
• Type 1 diabetes is a disorder in which the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin. It is characterised by uncontrolled high blood glucose levels and is normally treated with insulin injections
• In Type 2 diabetes the body cells no longer respond to insulin produced by the pancreas. A carbohydrate controlled diet and an exercise regime are common treatments. Obesity is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes