Regulating Glucose

• What hormones control blood glucose concentration?

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

  The amount of sugar in the bloodstream
• Why do we need a decent amount of sugar in our blood?

  To provide a constant supply of glucose for respiration
• What happens if blood glucose concentration gets too high?

  It can start to damage our tissues
• What occurs when a person eats a large meal with carbohydrates?

  Glucose concentration in the blood increases
• How does blood glucose concentration change after eating carbohydrates?

  It spikes as glucose is absorbed into the blood
• What organ detects the rise in blood glucose levels?

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

  Insulin
• What is the role of insulin in blood glucose regulation?

  It tells cells to take in glucose
• Which cells are most important for taking up glucose?

  Liver and muscle cells
• What do liver and muscle cells do with excess glucose?

  They convert it into glycogen for storage
• What happens to blood glucose concentration after insulin is released?

  It decreases back 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 concentration
• What does glucagon do to glycogen in the liver?

  It breaks it down into glucose molecules
• What is the result of glucagon's action on blood glucose levels?

  Blood glucose concentration returns to normal
• How do insulin and glucagon work together in blood glucose regulation?

  • Insulin decreases blood glucose when high
  • Glucagon increases blood glucose when low
  • They create a negative feedback loop
• Why does blood glucose concentration fluctuate rather than remain constant?

  Because insulin and glucagon are constantly released
• What resources can be found on the website cognito.org?

  • Videos on various topics
  • Questions and flashcards
  • Exam style questions and past papers
  • Progress tracking for study