Blood glucose control

• Insulin


  Hormone used to control the blood glucose concentration
• How insulin controls blood glucose concentration

  1. Pancreas senses rise in blood glucose after meal

  2. Pancreas produces insulin

  3. Insulin triggers body cells to take up glucose from blood

  4. Insulin triggers liver and muscle cells to store excess glucose as glycogen

  5. Blood glucose concentration returns to normal
• Type 1 diabetes


  Pancreas does not produce enough insulin
• Symptoms of type 1 diabetes

  • Blood glucose concentration rises and stays high
• Treatment for type 1 diabetes

  Monitor blood glucose, inject insulin
• Type 2 diabetes


  Body cells stop responding to insulin produced by pancreas
• Treatment for type 2 diabetes


  Diet with controlled carbohydrates, exercise
• Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes
• Glucagon


  Hormone released by pancreas when blood glucose concentration falls
• How glucagon controls blood glucose concentration

  1. Pancreas senses fall in blood glucose

  2. Pancreas releases glucagon

  3. Glucagon triggers liver to convert glycogen to glucose

  4. Glucose released into blood

  5. Blood glucose concentration rises
• Insulin and glucagon


  Have opposite effects on blood glucose concentration, form a negative feedback cycle