Blood glucose concentration (increasing/decreasing)

What happens when blood glucose is too low? (I)

Glucagon is released by alpha cells in pancreas, it binds to specific target cell receptors

What are the specific target cell receptors? (I)

Hepatocytes

How does BGC increase because of diet? (I)

When carbohydrate-rich foods (pasta/rice - rich in starch) and sweet foods (cake/fruits - rich in sucrose) are broken down to release glucose, this glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream

How does BGC increase because of glycogenolysis? (I)

Glycogen store in the liver and muscle cells is broken down into glucose which is released into the bloodstream, increasing BGC

How does BGC increase because of gluconeogenesis? (I)

Glucose is produced from non-carbohydrate sources. The liver makes glucose from glycerol and amino acids. This glucose is released into the bloodstream

What other response is there to increase BGC? (I)

More fatty acids are used in respiration

What happens when blood glucose is too high? (D)

Insulin is released by beta cels in pancreas, and insulin binds to specific target cell receptors

What are the specific cell receptors? (D)

Muscle cells and hepatocytes in the liver

How does respiration decrease BGC? (D)

Some of glucose in the bloodstream is used by cells to release energy. This is required to perform normal body functions.

How does respiration decrease BGC? (2) (D)

During exercise, more glucose is needed as the body needs to generate more energy for muscle cells contraction. Higher levels of physical activity, the higher the demand for glucose and the greater the decrease of BGC

How does glycogenesis decrease BGC? (D)

It is the production of glycogen. When BGC is too high, excess glucose is taken in through the diet, is converted into glycogen which is stored in the liver

What other responses are there to decrease BGC? (D)

Glucose channels open on cell membrane, converts glucose to fat