6C

• Glucose


  A six-carbon carbohydrate that comes from the food we eat
• Carbohydrate


  A class of biomacromolecules from monosaccharide monomers consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Also known as saccharides or sugars
• Glucose Transporter


  A group of membrane proteins that transport glucose across the plasma membrane
• Glycogen


  A polysaccharide of glucose that stores energy. Serves as the main storage of glucose in the body
• Glycogenesis


  The process of creating glycogen from glucose
• Glycogenolysis


  The process of breaking down glycogen into glucose
• Blood Plasma


  The liquid component of blood that supports blood cells
• Blood Glucose Level


  A measure of the amount of glucose present in the blood. Normal homeostatic mechanisms keep blood glucose levels between 4.0-7.8mmol/L
• Hyperglycemia


  The state of having blood glucose levels above the the normal range (>7.8mmol/L)
• Hypoglycaemia


  The state of having blood glucose levels below the normal range (>4.0 mmol/L)
• Homeostasis


  The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment in the body despite changes in the external environment
• Pancreas


  An organ of the digestive and endocrine system that releases both digestive juices and hormones
• Islets of Langerhans


  Regions of the pancreas that contain cells that secrete hormones
• Alpha Cells


  Cells that occupy the islets of Langerhans and secrete glucagon
• Beta Cells


  Cells that occupy the islets of Langerhans and secrete insulin
• Insulin


  A hormone secreted by alpha cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are low