Blood Glucose Regulation

Homeostasis of blood glucose

• Increase in blood glucose levels

• Decrease in blood glucose levels

Increase in blood glucose

increase in blood glucose detected by beta cells in islets of langerhans (pancreas) → beta cells release inslun into blood → insulin binds to body cells causing them to take glucose into the cell

Decrease in blood glucose

decrease in blood glucose detected by alpha cells in islets of langerhans (pancreas) → alpha cells release glucagon into blood → glucagon binds to body cells causing them to convert to glycogen into glucose → glucose released into blood

Diabetes Mellitus

• the ability to produce or respons to insulin is impaired

• results in abnormal metabolism of carbs and elevated levels of glucose (>/= 7mmol/L)

Type 1 Diabetes

• inability to produce insulin

• early onset

• damaged beta cells due to autoimmune conditions, genetics or environmental factors

• management: insulin replacement

Type 2 Diabetes

• inability to respond to insulin

• non-functional insulin receptors (insulin resistance)

• late onset

• linked to obesity

Both Types of Diabetes

• elevated blood glucose

• increased hunger

• weight loss

• no glucose in cells

• no ATP from glucose

• no glycogen stored for harder times