blood glucose concentration

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P G

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blood glucose concentration is monitored and controlled by the pancreas
blood glucose concentration needs to maintained in a small range because glucose is needed for cells to respire and release enough energy. If blood glucose levels go too high or low, damage can be done to cells through osmosis so maintaining steady levels is important
if blood glucose concentration is too high --
blood glucose concentration rises
rise is detected by receptor cells in the pancreas
in response the pancreas secretes insulin hormone
insulin travels in the blood and binds to liver and muscle cells, causing glucose to move from the blood into cells
in liver and muscle cells, excess glucose is also converted into glycogen for storage
this causes blood glucose levels to decrease
if blood glucose concentration is too low --
blood glucose concentration drops
drop is detected by receptor cells in the pancreas
in response, pancreas secretes hormone glucagon
glucagon binds to liver cells and stimulates the liver to convert and break down glycogen into glucose
this glucose is released into the blood stream
this causes blood glucose levels to rise
glucagon and insulin interact in a negative feedback loop to control blood glucose levels
type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin
type 1 diabetes can be managed through:
insulin injections, most likely given aft mealtimes when blood glucose levels rise
the volume of the insulin injection depends on the persons diet and how active they are
limit intake of simple carbohydrates (which cause the blood glucose to rise quickly)
type 1 diabetes is characterised by uncontrolled high blood glucose levels
in type 2 diabetes, body cells no longer respond to insulin produced by the pancreas
type 2 diabetes can be managed through:
eating a carbohydrate controlled diet
an exercise regime
obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes
the end result of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that blood glucose levels are too high
insulin causes blood glucose levels to decrease, which triggers glucagon production which causes blood glucose levels to increase, which triggers insulin production. These work in a negative feedback loop