Endocrine system L4 Flashcards
Where is the pancreas located and what does it do?
Located between kidneys and duodenum - provides digestive juices and endocrine functions
What happens when the Pancreatic Islets of Langerhans secrete: Insulin (from beta cells)?
Lowers the blood glucose level by making cells more permeable to glucose
What happens when the Pancreatic Islets of Langerhans secrete: Glucagon (from alpha cells)?
Increases the blood glucose level by causing conversion of glycogen to glucose
Why is hormone regulation important?
Blood glucose levels must stay within a narrow range to maintain homeostasis
What is diabetes mellitus and what causes it?
- Most common illness due to hormonal imbalance
- Due to failure of pancreas to produce insulin
or inability of body cells to take it up - Hyperglycemia symptoms develop - glucose
appears in urine
What is the glucose tolerance test?
Glucose appears in urine when level exceeds 190 mg/100 ml (i.e. renal threshold)
What is type I diabetes?
(congenital) – pancreas does not
produce insulin - insulin dependent
- Both types lead to long-term serious
complications
What is type II diabetes?
Type II (acquired) – body cells do not respond to insulin and/or damaged pancreas does not produce enough- insulin independent
What is treatment for Type I diabetes?
Treated with insulin injections and rigid blood monitoring (cannot be taken orally)
What do type I diabetics need to monitor?
- Must monitor both hypoglycemia (need
glucagon or glucose) and hyperglycemia (need insulin) - Research: islet transplants, gene therapy, gene mapping
What causes type II diabetes?
Usually result of poor diet and lifestyle - body cells become resistant to insulin
What is gestational diabetes?
(during pregnancy) – mother develops symptoms - infant at greater risk for type II later in life
What is the treatment for type II diabetes?
Does not require insulin injections -symptoms
treated by exercise, diet & sometimes sulfonamides
What are 5 symptoms of type I & II diabetes?
- fatigue (not enough glucose inside cells - must use fat & protein)
- excessive thirst & urination (glucose in urine pulls out water by osmosis)
- increased appetite (& weight loss – type I)
- increased susceptibility to infection
- foot ulcers (due to poor circulation)
Does diabetes insipidous have anything to do with the pancreas?
Has nothing to do with pancreas!
- Tumour or injury causes decrease in ADH secretion or response to ADH - causing
frequent urination (up to 30 L per day) - Treat with ADH nasal spray
