Control of Blood Glucose Concentration

• What organ monitors and controls blood glucose concentration?

  The pancreas
• What type of gland is the pancreas?

  Endocrine gland
• What role does the pancreas play in digestion?

  It secretes enzymes into the digestive system
• Why is blood glucose concentration important?

  It must be kept within a narrow range
• What happens to blood glucose levels after eating carbohydrates?

  They increase
• What hormone does the pancreas produce when blood glucose is too high?

  Insulin
• What can happen if blood glucose levels are too high?

  Cells can lose water by osmosis
• Which cells are particularly stimulated by insulin to take in glucose?

  Liver and muscle cells
• What is excess glucose converted into for storage?

  Glycogen
• What is Type 1 diabetes characterized by?

  Uncontrolled high blood glucose levels
• What causes Type 1 diabetes?

  Immune system destroying insulin-producing cells
• How is Type 1 diabetes typically treated?

  With insulin injections
• What happens in Type 2 diabetes?

  Body cells become resistant to insulin
• What are common treatments for Type 2 diabetes?

  Carbohydrate-controlled diet and exercise
• What is a significant risk factor for Type 2 diabetes?

  Obesity
• How do Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes differ in terms of insulin production?

  Type 1 lacks insulin production; Type 2 has resistance
• What are the causes and treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

  Type 1 Diabetes:

  • Cause: Pancreas cannot produce insulin
  • Treatment: Insulin injections and monitoring

  
  

  Type 2 Diabetes:

  • Cause: Cells resistant to insulin or insufficient insulin
  • Treatment: Low-carbohydrate diet and regular exercise
• What hormone does the pancreas produce when blood glucose is too low?

  Glucagon
• What does glucagon do to glycogen in the body?

  Converts glycogen into glucose
• How do glucagon and insulin interact in blood glucose control?

  • Insulin lowers blood glucose by converting excess glucose into glycogen
  • Glucagon raises blood glucose by converting glycogen into glucose
  • They work in a negative feedback cycle
• What happens when blood glucose levels rise?

  Insulin is produced to lower it
• What happens when blood glucose levels fall too low?

  Glucagon is produced to raise it
• How does the negative feedback cycle maintain blood glucose levels?

  Insulin and glucagon regulate glucose levels