Regulating glucose levels

Question 1

Why must we regulate glucose levels?

Answer 1

• Glucose is needed for cellular respiration
• Too high levels can damage tissues

Question 2

What does our body do if blood glucose levels are too high?

Answer 2

• Detected by pancreas that releases insuilin
• Insuilin binds to certain cells with correct receptors (mainly muscles and liver)
• Stimulates cells to take in extra glucose and turn it into glycogen (long term storage molecule)

Question 3

What does our body do if blood glucose levels are too low?

Answer 3

• Detected by pancreas that releases glucagon
• Glucagon binds to specific cells with correct receptors (mainly liver)
• Stimulates liver to turn glycogen back into glucose and release it into the bloodstream

Question 4

What type of loop is the regulation of blood glucose levels?

Answer 4

• Negative feedback loop