Controlling Blood Glucose

• What hormones control blood glucose concentration?

  Insulin and glucagon
• What does blood glucose concentration refer to?

  Amount of sugar in the bloodstream
• Why do cells need a constant supply of glucose?

  For respiration to produce energy
• What happens if blood glucose concentration is too high?

  It can damage tissues
• What happens to carbohydrates after eating a large meal?

  They are broken down into glucose
• What does a spike in blood glucose levels indicate?

  Glucose is absorbed into the blood
• What organ detects high blood glucose levels?

  The pancreas
• What hormone does the pancreas release in response to high glucose levels?

  Insulin
• What do insulin receptors on cells do?

  They signal cells to take in glucose
• Which cells primarily take up glucose?

  Liver and muscle cells
• What is glycogen?

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

  It decreases to normal levels
• What hormone is released when blood glucose levels are too low?

  Glucagon
• How does glucagon affect blood glucose levels?

  It increases blood glucose levels
• What does glucagon do to glycogen in the liver?

  Breaks it down into glucose
• What is the relationship between insulin and glucagon?

  They create a negative feedback loop
• How do insulin and glucagon maintain blood glucose levels?

  They regulate glucose levels in opposite ways
• Why does blood glucose concentration fluctuate?

  Due to constant release of insulin and glucagon
• What is the process of blood glucose regulation?

  • High glucose: Insulin released
  • Cells take in glucose
  • Glucose stored as glycogen
  • Low glucose: Glucagon released
  • Glycogen broken down to glucose
  • Glucose released into blood
• What are the effects of high and low blood glucose levels?

  • High levels:
  • Tissue damage
  • Low levels:
  • Insufficient energy for cells