2.3 - Controlling Blood Glucose Concentration

What monitors and controls blood glucose concentration?

pancreas

Why must blood blucose levels be kept constant?

because the cells need a constant supply of glucose for respiration

How does the body get a constant supply of glucose for respiration?

storing glucose as glycogen in the liver and only releasing it into the blood when needed

What happens if blood glucose concentration increases?

1. the pancreas detects the increase blood glucose concentration and produces the hormon insulin which is released into the blood

2. insulin binds to receptors on the liver and muscle cells

3. this causes more clucose to move into these cells

4. the glucose is either use in respiration or converted into glycogen for storage

5. this causes the blood glucose concentration to return to normal so insulin secretion stops

What happens if blood glucose concentration decreases?

1. the pancreas detects the decrease blood glucsoe concentration and produces the hormone glucagon which is released into the blood

2. glucagon binds to receptors on liver and muscle cells

3. this causes a response inside the cell and glycogen is converted back into glucose

4. the glucose is the released into the blood

5. this causes the blood glucose concentration to return to normal so glucagon secretion stops