Blood Glucose Levels and Obesity

Question 1

Impact of Elevated Blood Glucose Levels

Answer 1

Small blood vessels are damaged by elevated glucose levels and may result in: haemorrhage of blood vessels in the retina and loss of sight.
Peripheral nerve dysfunction loss of function and a lack of sensation in nerves at the extremities e.g toes and fingers

Question 1

Elevated Blood Glucose Levels

Answer 1

Chronic elevation of blood glucose levels leads to the endothelium cells taking in more glucose than normal.
This causes damage to the lining of the blood vessels and can lead to atherosclerosis

Question 2

Blood Glucose Regulation

Answer 2

Pancreas moniters concentration of glucose in the blood by detecting and increase/decrease

Question 3

Insulin

Answer 3

Hormone produced by pancreas in response to high blood glucose levels.
Insulin travels in the blood to the liver. Insulin activates the conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver, decreasing the blood glucose concentration

Question 4

Liver

Answer 4

The liver acts as a reservoir of stored carbohydrate, storing excess glucose as glycogen. Glycogen is an insoluble storage carbohydrate

Question 5

Glucagon

Answer 5

Hormone produced by pancreas in response to low blood glucose levels.
Glucagon travels in the blood to the liver. Glucagon activates the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver, increasing the blood glucose concentration.

Question 6

Role of Adrenaline to Increase Blood Glucose

Answer 6

During exercise or “fight or flight” responses glucose levels are raised by the hormone adrenaline which is produced in the adrenal glands.
Adrenaline stimulates glucagon secretion and inhibits insulin secretion

Question 7

Diabetes

Answer 7

When a person is unable to regulate their blood glucose levels

Question 8

Type 1 Diabetes

Answer 8

Usually occurs in childhood, a person with type 1 diabetes is unable to produce insulin and can be treated with regular doses of insulin either by injection or delivery through an insulin pump

Question 9

Type 2 Diabetes

Answer 9

Typically develops in later life, increased chance by being overweight.
They can still produce insulin, but their cells are less sensitive
This resistance to insulin in type 2 diabetes is linked to a decrease in the number of insulin receptors in the liver, leading to a failure to convert glucose to glycogen, as a result glucose remains in the blood and blood glucose levels increases

Question 10

Glucose Urine

Answer 10

In both types of diabetes individual blood glucose concentrations will rise rapidly after a meal. The kidneys are unable to cope, and are unable to reabsorb all the glucose back into the blood, and as a result glucose will appear in the urine.

Question 11

Glucose Tolerance Test

Answer 11

Clinical test used to diagnose diabetes -
-After a period of fasting, the blood glucose levels of an individual are measured
-The individual then consumes a known quantity of glucose solution
-Changes in their blood glucose levels are measured over the next two and a half hours

Question 12

Comparing Diabetic and Non Diabetic Results

Answer 12

The blood glucose concentration of a diabetic usually starts at a higher level than that of a non-diabetic, and during the test the diabetics blood glucose concentration increases to a much higher level and takes longer to return to its starting concentration.

Question 13

Obesity

Answer 13

This is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes
Obesity is characterized by excess body fat in relation to lean body tissues

Question 14

BMI

Answer 14

Body Mass Index commonly used to measure obesity
BMI = Weight / Height2
A body mass index greater than 30 is used to indicate obestiy

Question 15

BMI Inaccurate

Answer 15

BMI does not take into account muscle mass, so some muscular individuals can be wrongly classified as obese when using this method

Question 16

Obesity Treatment

Answer 16

Involves reducing energy intake and increasing energy expenditure

Question 17

Energy Intake

Answer 17

The energy intake in the diet should limit fats (as fats have a high caloric value per gram) and free sugars

Question 18

Energy Expenditure

Answer 18

Exercise increases energy expenditure and preserves lean tissue

Question 19

Impact of Exercise

Answer 19

Can help to reduce risk factors for CVD by keeping weight under control, minimizing stress, reducing hypertension and improving blood lipid profiles