6C - regulation of blood glucose

bio unit 1

glycogen

complex carbohydrate that is stored glucose

-stored in liver

glucagon

breaks down glycogen into glucose

-so it can released in the bloodstream

alpha cells

• in islet of langerhans

• produce glucagon

beta cells

• in islets of langerhans

• produce insulin (which signals for glucose to be stored as glycogen)

rising blood glucose levels

• blood glucose levels rise

• islets of langerhans cells detect change

• alpha cells produce less glucagon + beta cells produce more insulin

• more glucose is being stored in liver as glycogen

• blood glucose levels fall

declining blood glucose levels

• blood glucose levels fall

• islets of langerhans cells / glucoreceptors on pancreas detect change

• alpha cells produce more glucagon + beta cells produce less insulin

• more glycogen is being converted to glucose and released into bloodstream

• blood glucose levels rise