Controlling Blood Glucose

• What is blood glucose concentration?

  The amount of sugar in the bloodstream
• Why is it important to maintain blood glucose concentration?

  To provide cells with glucose for respiration and prevent tissue damage
• What happens to carbohydrates after a meal?

  They are broken down into glucose and absorbed into the bloodstream
• What happens to blood glucose concentration after eating carbohydrates?

  It increases due to glucose absorption
• Which organ detects changes in blood glucose concentration?

  Pancreas
• Which cells primarily take up glucose in response to insulin?

  Liver and muscle cells
• What happens to glucose in liver and muscle cells?

  It is converted into glycogen for storage
• What is glycogen?

  A long-term storage form of glucose
• What happens to blood glucose concentration after insulin release?

  It decreases as glucose is taken up by cells
• What hormone is released when blood glucose levels are too low?

  Glucagon
• What is the role of glucagon in blood glucose regulation?

  It raises blood glucose by breaking down glycogen into glucose
• Which cells primarily respond to glucagon?

  Liver cells
• What happens to glycogen in response to glucagon?

  It is broken down into glucose and released into the blood
• How do insulin and glucagon work together to regulate blood glucose?

  They create a negative feedback loop to maintain glucose levels
• Why does blood glucose concentration fluctuate?

  Because insulin and glucagon are constantly released to regulate it
• What is the process of blood glucose regulation?

  1. Blood glucose rises after eating carbohydrates
  2. Pancreas releases insulin
  3. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by liver and muscle cells
  4. Glucose is stored as glycogen
  5. Blood glucose decreases
  6. If blood glucose drops too low, pancreas releases glucagon
  7. Glucagon promotes glycogen breakdown into glucose
  8. Glucose is released into the blood
  9. Blood glucose increases
• What are the key differences between insulin and glucagon?

  • Insulin lowers blood glucose; glucagon raises it
  • Insulin promotes glycogen storage; glucagon promotes glycogen breakdown
  • Insulin is released when glucose is high; glucagon is released when glucose is low
• Where is the pancreas located?

  Behind the stomach
• How does insulin signal cells to take up glucose?

  By binding to receptors on the cells
• What is glycogen composed of?

  Many glucose molecules
• Why do blood glucose levels fluctuate slightly before meals?

  Because the body constantly regulates glucose levels
• What can cause low blood glucose levels?

  Skipping breakfast and being active
• What is the purpose of the negative feedback loop in blood glucose regulation?

  To maintain glucose levels around a normal range