Diabetes

Question 1

What is the action of insulin?

Answer 1

Insulin binds to receptors on cell surface membranes and allows the passage of glucose into cells.

Question 2

What is T1 diabetes?

Answer 2

This is autoimmune destruction of B cells of the pancreas. This means that there is no longer insulin production.

Question 3

What is T2 diabetes?

Answer 3

This is caused by either:

Our cells being unable to utilise insulin our our insulin production not being sufficient.

Question 4

What are common symptoms of hyperglycaemia?

Answer 4

Polyuria, Polydipsia, blurring of vision, recurring urogenital infections.

Question 5

Diabetes leads to inadequate energy utilisation. How might this present?

Answer 5

Tiredness, lethargy, weakness and weight loss.

Question 6

What happens when cells are unable to access glucose?

Answer 6

This means that other energy sources are found. Fat stores are broken down to produce ketone bodies. This can lead to ketoacidosis.

Question 7

What is the typical treatment for T1 diabetes?

Answer 7

Subcutaneous insulin injections.

Question 8

Why can obesity lead to diabetes?

Answer 8

Obesity, in particular central obesity means that it is likely that there will be fatty deposits in the liver and kidneys, affecting their function. This can lead to insulin resistance.

Question 9

Name the micro and macro vascular consequences of diabetes.

Answer 9

Micro - nephrology, neuropathy, retinopathy. Foot ulcers etc.
Macro - Heart attack, gangrene, stroke

Question 10

What happens in acute hypoglycaemia?

Answer 10

The patient can go into a coma because the brain requires glucose and there is no glucose in the blood.

Question 11

What are the three lab tests which can be done to diagnose diabetes?

Answer 11

Oral glucose tolerance test, fasting blood glucose and HbA1C (but not for t1)

Question 12

Explain why insulin resistance can lead to an inability to produce insulin.

Answer 12

Insulin resistance means that the pancreas is stimulated to secrete more insulin. The B cells are working hard and eventually they wear out and can no longer produce sufficient insulin.

Question 13

Why can exercise help to reverse the effects of T2 diabetes?

Answer 13

Exercise increases insulin sensitivity.

Question 14

What three tissues are commonly affected by diabetes?

Answer 14

Retina of the eye, peripheral nerves and the kidney.

Question 15

What are the actions of insulin on fat metabolism?

Answer 15

Clear up of free fatty acids, and reduction in lipolysis.

Question 16

What is the impact of insulin on gluconeogenesis in the liver?

Answer 16

Reduces it.

Question 17

What affect does insulin have on protein synthesis?

Answer 17

It promotes it. It also reduces protein catabolism.

Question 18

What are the actions on glucose metabolism of insulin?

Answer 18

Insulin prevents liver glycogen being broken down, and stimulates its synthesis and uptake of glucose into the liver. It also stimulates uptake into both muscle and adipose tissue.

Question 19

What is the definition of diabetes?

Answer 19

Diabetes is where chronic hyperglycaemia causes damage to small and large blood vessels and can cause premature death due to Cardiovascular disease.