B3.3.2 - Controlling Blood Sugar Flashcards
How do blood sugar levels rise?
Digestion releases glucose into the bloodstream
What are the effects of high blood sugar levels for a long time?
Body systems will be damaged (mainly nerves and blood vessels)
What can you do to drop blood sugar levels?
Exercise
Why does exercise cause you to drop blood sugar levels?`
Exercise means that the body needs to transfer more energy and therefore use more glucose
What releases insulin?
Pancreas
What does insulin stimulate?
It stimulates the liver to to turn glucose into glycogen which is then stored in the liver
How does the liver turn glucose into glycogen?
Through enzyme-controlled reactions
What is insulin?
A hormone released from the pancreas
What other hormone does the pancreas release that isn’t insulin?
Glucagon
When will the pancreas release glucagon?
When the blood glucose concentration is too low
What does glucagon do?
It stimulates the liver to turn glycogen (stored glucose) into glucose
How are insulin and glucagon used to maintain blood sugar levels?
Insulin is used to drop blood sugar levels while glucagon is used to increase blood sugar levels
What is diabetes?
When your blood sugar levels are always high
Is diabetes curable?
No
What can people with Type 1 diabetes not do?
Produce insulin
