B11.02 The Control of blood glucose levels

• Blood glucose concentration is monitored and controlled by the pancreas.
• The pancreas produces the hormones insulin and glucagon.
• Insulin allows glucose to move from the blood into the cells where it is used. Soluble glucose is also converted into an insoluble carbohydrate called glycogen in the liver. Insulin controls the storage of glycogen in the liver and muscles. Glucose is also converted to fat for storage when insulin is released.
• Glucagon is a hormone formed in the pancreas which promotes the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver.
• Glucagon interacts with insulin in a negative feedback cycle to control glucose levels. If blood glucose levels are too high, insulin in released. If blood glucose levels are too low, glucagon is released.
• In type 1 diabetes, the blood glucose may rise to fatally high levels because the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body stops responding to its own insulin.