control of blood glucose concentration

• The endocrine system secretes hormones into the bloodstream from glands throughout the body
• Hormones produce an effect on specific target organs in the body
• Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose concentrations in the blood
• If blood glucose concentration is too high, the pancreas produces insulin that causes glucose to move from the blood into the cells
• Excess glucose in liver and muscle cells is converted to glycogen for storage
• Action of insulin:

  • Low glucose: Insulin not secreted into the blood, liver does not convert glucose into glycogen, blood glucose level increases
  • High glucose: Insulin secreted into the blood, liver converts glucose into glycogen, blood glucose level decreases
• Glucose is a simple sugar used by cells for respiration
• Respiration is the chemical change that takes place inside living cells, using glucose and oxygen to release energy
• Dr Alex Lathbridge examines what happens if blood glucose levels get too high or too low
• It is important to maintain the concentration of glucose in the blood at a constant level for proper cell function