Controlling Blood Glucose

• Homeostasis


  The process of maintaining a stable internal environment in the body
• Blood glucose

  • It is controlled as part of homeostasis
  • Its level is controlled by the hormones insulin and glucagon
• Insulin and Glucagon Control Blood Glucose Level

  1. Glucose from food enters the blood

  2. Cells metabolise glucose from the blood

  3. Excess glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles

  4. Blood glucose level is monitored and controlled by the pancreas using insulin and glucagon in a negative feedback cycle
• Blood glucose level too HIGH


  Insulin is added
• Blood glucose level too LOW


  Glucagon is added
• Insulin


  Makes the liver turn glucose into glycogen
• Glucagon


  Makes the liver turn glycogen into glucose
• The pancreas was once thought to just be a cushion
• The relationship between insulin and glucagon secretion and blood glucose level is represented by a curve
• Homeostasis and Regulation are important processes