Topic 4: Homeostatic Control

Hormonal control of the blood sugar level

  • The pancreas secretes pancreatic juice - transported to the duodenum through the pancreatic duct
  • Islets of Langerhans secrete 2 types of hormones:

  Insulin

  Glucagon

  • Secreted directly into the bloodstream
  • Endocrine - outside
  • Exocrine - inside
  • The pancreas responds to the amount of glucose in the blood
  • ==High blood glucose== = pancreas ==secretes insulin== to stimulate the liver to convert excess glucose into glycogen to store it
  • %%Low level of glucose%% = pancreas ^^secretes glucagon^^ which stimulates the liver to convert stored glycogen to glucose. It is absorbed into the blood, raising the glucose level then returning it to normal.

Diabetes mellitus

  • Disease that occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin (Type 1)
  • OR when the body can no longer respond to the insulin that the pancreas produces (Type 2)
  • Also know as ^^chronic high blood glucose^^ or ^^hyperglycaemia^^

The relationship between food intake and health

  • The energy in food is described in units called calories
  • Carbs, protein and lipids are a source of energy
  • Vitamins, minerals and water DO NOT provide energy
  • Minerals needed in large quantities = macronutrients
  • Minerals needed in small quantities = micronutrients

External factors of malnutrition

ConditionCauseSymptom
Kwashiorkorhigh carb intakeinsufficient proteinswollen bellystick-like legsswollen face
Marasmuslack of all food groups - energy deficiencylittle / no layer of skin fattight skindeep-set eyes
Anorexiarefusal to eat; abnormal body mage; fear of becoming overweightskeletally thin - may die if continues to refuse food
Bulimiafood available but habitual vomiting after binging on high-energy foodshas normal weighttooth erosion from acidic food being thrown up
Obesityexcess intake of high energy foods - carbsperson’s body is more than 20% higher than the average person of the same gender/height