3.6.4.2 blood glucose

• blood glucose varies due to:

  • Rate of respiration - cells using up glucose aerobically
  • Carbohydrates intake - digestion gives glucose
• High blood glucose:

  • Detected by beta cells of the pancreas
  • Insulin released from beta cells
  • Blood glucose lowered
• Low blood glucose:

  • detected by alpha cells of the pancreas
  • glucagon released from alpha cells
  • blood glucose raised
• Insulin action:

  • Binds to receptor protein on target cells in the liver
  • Cause increased number of glucose carrier proteins in the c.s.m
  • Rate of facilitated diffusion increases
  • Activates enzymes to condense glucose to glycogen - glycogenesis
• Glucagon action:

  • Binds to receptor proteins on target cells in the liver
  • Activates enzyme to hydrolyse glycogen to glucose - glycogenolysis
  • Activates enzyme to convert glycerol & amino acids to glucose - gluconeogenesis
• Adrenaline:

  • Binds to receptor proteins on target cells
  • Activates enzymes to hydrolyse glycogen to glucose
• Second messenger model:

  A) (Adenylate)

  
• Type 1 diabetes cause:

  • Genetic autoimmune disease
  • Beta cells unable to make insulin
  • Diagnosed early in life - childhood
• Type 1 diabetes treatment:

  • Insulin injections (cannot be taken orally as insulin will be denatured)
  • Management through reduction in carbs and more exercise
• Type 2 diabetes cause:

  • Lifestyle
  • Cells/receptors become less responsive to insulin or less insulin is released
  • Diagnosed later in life
• Type 2 diabetes treatment:

  • Reduction in carb intake
  • More exercise