Answers
1. Beta cells secrete insulin which decreases the level of blood glucose. What is the role of insulin and glucagon in the body and how do they work together to maintain homeostasis?
Insulin and Glucagon work together effectively to maintain homeostasis. Insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas in response to high blood sugar, although a low level of insulin is always secreted by the pancreas. After a meal, the amount of insulin secreted into the blood increases as the blood glucose rises. Likewise, as blood glucose falls, insulin secretion by the pancreatic islet beta cells decreases. Glucagon is secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas when blood glucose is low. Blood glucose is low between meals and during exercise.
2. In type 2 diabetes, why does the body fail to properly use and store glucose?
Glucose backs up in the bloodstream, causing one's blood glucose (sometimes referred to as blood sugar) to rise too high.Your body changes much of the food you eat into glucose, a type of sugar, which is then carried by the bloodstream to be used to power the millions of cells in your body. The cells cannot use glucose for energy without the help of insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose enter them. Diabetes is a disease in which the body's insulin-producing system malfunctions. Glucose then builds up to excessive levels in the bloodstream. In type 2 diabetes, which used to be called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, the body produces insulin but either does not produce enough to properly convert food into energy or is not able to use the insulin it does make.
3. Why do people with type 2 diabetes have glucose present in their urine and as a result urine output is increased?
The high levels of glucose in the blood that can't be lowered due to lack of insulin. The reason why you make a lot of urine and become thirsty is because glucose leaks into your urine, which pulls out extra water through the kidneys. Glucose is a solute that draws water into the urine by osmosis.
4. Draw a negative feedback loop that shows the regulation of blood glucose levels and explain how it would be affected in someone with type 2 diabetes.
Insulin and Glucagon work together effectively to maintain homeostasis. Insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas in response to high blood sugar, although a low level of insulin is always secreted by the pancreas. After a meal, the amount of insulin secreted into the blood increases as the blood glucose rises. Likewise, as blood glucose falls, insulin secretion by the pancreatic islet beta cells decreases. Glucagon is secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas when blood glucose is low. Blood glucose is low between meals and during exercise.
2. In type 2 diabetes, why does the body fail to properly use and store glucose?
Glucose backs up in the bloodstream, causing one's blood glucose (sometimes referred to as blood sugar) to rise too high.Your body changes much of the food you eat into glucose, a type of sugar, which is then carried by the bloodstream to be used to power the millions of cells in your body. The cells cannot use glucose for energy without the help of insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose enter them. Diabetes is a disease in which the body's insulin-producing system malfunctions. Glucose then builds up to excessive levels in the bloodstream. In type 2 diabetes, which used to be called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, the body produces insulin but either does not produce enough to properly convert food into energy or is not able to use the insulin it does make.
3. Why do people with type 2 diabetes have glucose present in their urine and as a result urine output is increased?
The high levels of glucose in the blood that can't be lowered due to lack of insulin. The reason why you make a lot of urine and become thirsty is because glucose leaks into your urine, which pulls out extra water through the kidneys. Glucose is a solute that draws water into the urine by osmosis.
4. Draw a negative feedback loop that shows the regulation of blood glucose levels and explain how it would be affected in someone with type 2 diabetes.
5. Fatigue is a common symptom of type 2 diabetes. What other conditions have similar symptoms like fatigue, and are affected by blood glucose levels?
The adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, are actually two different glands in one. The center of the gland makes epinephrine and is under the control of the autonomic nervous system. Although it is known that this part of the nervous system is also on the fritz in chronic fatigue patients—contributing to such symptoms as hot and cold sweats, cold sweaty hands, neurally mediated hypotension, and panic attacks. Adrenal sufficiency has similar symptoms to type 2 diabetes that can be misleading.
Symptoms of Adrenal Sufficiency:
• Fatigue
• Recurrent infections
• Difficulty shaking off infections
• Poor response and "crashing" during stress
• Achiness
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar with irritability when hungry)
• Low blood pressure and dizziness upon first standing
6. Emma's pancreas isn't producing sufficient amounts of insulin. Where does human insulin come from and why do we need it?
Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreas, and is central to regulating carbs and fat metabolism in the body. It causes cells in the liver, skeletal muscles, and fat tissue to absorb glucose from the blood. Insulin used by people with diabetes can come from three sources: human (created via recombinant DNA methods), pork, or beef. Beef insulin has been discontinued in the US, and essentially all people who are newly diagnosed are placed on human insulin.
7. Why is the pancreas essential in the human body?
The pancreas has two major functions in the human body; one function is to produce enzymes that break our food down small enough to be absorbed into our body. The second function is to produce the hormones insulin and glucagon. These hormones are crucial to our bodies and control our blood glucose levels.
8. In type 2 diabetes, how do you maintain normal blood glucose levels?
Checking your blood sugar levels yourself and writing down the results tells you how well you are managing your diabetes. To check your blood sugar level, you use a device called a glucose meter. Usually, you prick your finger with a small needle called a lancet. This gives you a tiny drop of blood. You place the blood on a test strip and put the strip into the meter. The meter gives you a reading that tells you the level of your blood sugar.
9. What risk factors are associated with developing type 2 diabetes?
Several risk factors have been associated with type 2 diabetes and include:
- Family history of diabetes
- Overweight
- Unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Increasing age
- High blood pressure
- Ethnicity
- Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)*
- History of gestational diabetes
- Poor nutrition during pregnancy
10. What happens to the activity of the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland in someone with type 2 diabetes?
The hypothalamus is part of the brain. It maintains homeostasis (constant internal conditions) by regulating the internal environment (examples: heart rate, body temperature, water balance, and the secretions of the pituitary gland). Hormones produced by the hypothalamus are called hypothalamic-releasing hormones. The anterior pituitary produces at least six different hormones. Each one is produced in response to a specific hypothalamic-releasing hormone.
For Diabetes, the anterior pituitary produces Insulin (promotes the removal of glucose from the blood for storage as glycogen (muscle, liver), fats (fat cells), and protein) and Glucagon (raises the level of glucose in the blood)
11. Diet is very important to someone with type 2 diabetes. Why is it important to manage what you are eating when you have type 2 diabetes?
Regular activity is important for everyone. It is even more important when you have diabetes. When you have type 2 diabetes, your fat, liver, and muscle cells do not respond correctly to insulin. This is called insulin resistance. As a result, blood sugar does not get into these cells to be stored for energy. Increased fat makes it harder for your body to use insulin the correct way. There is an increase risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you have family history and genes also play a role as well. Low activity level, poor diet, and excess body weight around the waist increase your chance of getting the disease.
12. Describe the roles and patterns in glucagon and insulin levels in someone with type 2 diabetes.
Type II diabetes is caused by a deficiency in insulin production or by changes in insulin receptors on the target cells. In either case, blood glucose level may be high because cells do not receive the message to metabolize glucose.
Insulin: Insulin promotes the removal of glucose from the blood for storage as glycogen (muscle, liver), fats (fat cells), and protein.
It promotes the buildup of fats and proteins and inhibits their use as an energy source.
Glucagon: Glucagon is produced in the islets of Langerhans but by different cells than those that produce insulin.
The effects of glucagon are opposite those of insulin. It raises the level of glucose in the blood.
It is normally secreted between meals to maintain the concentration of glucose in the blood.
13. Other than diet, what are some other factors that affect your blood glucose levels?
Less amounts of sitting around doing nothing, and more importantly, making sure you are getting enough exercise. Exercise is key for someone with type two diabetes as it helps to control blood glucose levels in the body.
Reasons why exercise is good for your health:
- Lowers blood sugar level without medicine
- Burns extra calories and fat to help manage weight
- Improves blood flow and blood pressure
- Increases energy level
- Improves ability to handle stress