Homeostasis and Glucose Regulation Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the principles of homeostasis, negative feedback mechanisms, and blood glucose regulation as described in the lecture notes.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of the internal environment within certain limits, including pH, carbon dioxide concentration, blood glucose, body temperature, and water balance.

Body Temperature Range

The normal physiological limit typically maintained between $36 - 38^{\circ}C$.

Blood Glucose Concentration Range

The normal physiological limit typically maintained between $75 - 95\,mg/dL$.

Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$) Concentration Range

The normal physiological limit typically maintained between $35 - 45\,mmHg$.

Blood pH Level Range

The normal physiological limit typically maintained between $7.35 - 7.45$.

Internal Environment

The environment formed by the blood and tissue fluids.

Negative Feedback

The most common mechanism for regulating physiological processes where the response is opposite to the original stimulus to return the system to a set point.

Receptors

Specialized structures that detect changes within internal conditions.

Coordinator

A central component that receives information from receptors and determines the level of response needed.

Effector

A specialized component that produces the response behavior based on the decision relayed by the coordinator.

Alpha Cells

Pancreatic cells that detect low glucose levels and secrete the hormone glucagon.

Beta Cells

Pancreatic cells that detect high glucose levels and secrete the hormone insulin.

Insulin

A hormone that signals cells to accelerate the conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage in the liver when blood sugar is high.

Glucagon

A hormone that binds to liver cells to signal the conversion of glycogen into glucose when blood sugar is low.

Glycogen

The insoluble form of glucose stored in the liver.

Diabetes Mellitus in Mexico

A condition affecting more than $18\%$ of the population (approximately $14.6$ million people) as of June 2023.

Undiagnosed Diabetes Trend

In Mexico, the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes decreased from $7.1\%$ to $5.8\%$ between 2006 and 2022.

Diabetes and COVID-19 risk

Patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes face substantially higher risks of fatal outcomes or intensive care treatment when infected with COVID-19.