6.6: Regulating Blood Glucose Levels
When blood glucose levels fall below the optimum, which hormone is secreted by the pancreas and which cells secrete the hormone?
1. Glucagon 2. Pancreatic alpha cells
When blood glucose levels rise above the optimum, which hormone is secreted by the pancreas and which cells secrete the hormone?
1. Insulin 2. Pancreatic beta cells
Endocrine Gland
A gland that secretes hormones directly through its cell wall to the blood.
Exocrine Gland
A gland that secretes hormones through a tube.
Examples of Endocrine Glands
Adrenal Glands, Ovaries, Pancreas
Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes
Blood glucose levels have to be measured regularly and insulin injections are used to control glucose levels.
Target cells for glucagon
Liver cells
Target cells for insulin
Liver cells & Muscle cells
Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
Low carbohydrate diets can control the condition. Insulin injections are not an effective treatment.
Organ that monitors blood glucose level
Pancreas
Effect of glucagon
Stimulates liver cells to break glycogen down into glucose and release the glucose.
Effect of insulin
Stimulates the liver and muscle cells to absorb glucose and convert it to glycogen. Granules of glycogen are stored in these cells.
Examples of Exocrine Glands
Sweat and Salivary Glands
Cause of Type 2 Diabetes
Target cells become insensitive to insulin. Diets rich in fat and low in fibre, over-eating, and lack of exercise can increase the rate of the condition.
Cause of Type 1 Diabetes
Usually genetic. The immune system destroys beta cells in the pancreas so the amount of insulin secreted becomes insufficient.