4/23/2024

Insulin, blood glucose

and diabetes

Learning objective:
Understand the
source, roles and
effects of the
hormone insulin.
 Pituitary gland

Thyroid gland

Adrenal glands

Pancreas

Ovaries

Testes
Attribution: OpenStax College / CC BY, Creative commons
2
Which control system has long lasting effects?

Nervous Hormonal

3
How do hormones travel to their target cell?

Quickly As an electrical signal

Option 3
Via neurones Option 4
In the bloodstream

4
Which hormone does the pancreas secrete?

Insulin Oestrogen

Option 3
Thyroxine Option 4
Adrenaline

5
Controlling body temperature is one example of
homeostasis. Another example is controlling
blood sugar level.

Prior knowledge check: Why is regulating blood

sugar level important?
If blood sugar is too high or too
low it can cause a range of
symptoms. These can be mild
(e.g. dizziness, palpitations or
needing to use the toilet often)
But if untreated, it can become
severe (seizures, coma or even
death).
Which hormones regulate blood glucose?

Insulin (brings blood glucose levels down)

Glucagon (brings blood glucose levels up)
Recap: When we eat foods containing carbohydrates they are broken down
by digestive enzymes into sugars (including glucose). These are then
absorbed into the blood from the gut.
1. Large carbohydrates in
the gut cannot be
absorbed.

2. Cells lining the gut

secrete carbohydrase
enzymes such as
amylase which mix with
food.
 Recap: When we eat foods containing carbohydrates they are broken
down by digestive enzymes into sugars (including glucose). These are
then absorbed into the blood from the gut.

3. The enzymes break

carbohydrates down into
sugars such as glucose.

4. The glucose is absorbed

into the blood.
Recap: Respiration in cells removes glucose from the blood. More exercise
results in more glucose being removed from the blood as the rate of
respiration increases.
Excess glucose can be stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
When there is not enough glucose available, glycogen can be broken
down to release glucose. This is controlled by the hormones insulin and
glucagon.
Blood Glucose Too High
Blood Glucose Too Low
Which hormone does the pancreas secrete?

Insulin Oestrogen

Option 3
Thyroxine Option 4
Adrenaline

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What causes blood glucose levels to increase?

Eating a meal Exercising

Option 3
Sleeping Option
Going 4for a walk

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What causes blood glucose levels to decrease?

Eating a meal Exercising

Option 3
Sleeping Option
Going 4for a walk

20
Which chemical reaction uses glucose as a reactant?

Digestion Photosynthesis

Option
Protein3synthesis Option 4
Respiration

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 Blood glucose Pancreas Liver
levels
Too high Releases Converts glucose into
Blood glucose levels
_____________
insulin
Pancreas
_____________
glycogen
Liver
Too high Releases _____________ Converts glucose into ________
Normal Stops releasing Stops converting glucose into
Normal ____________
Stops releasing
insulin ____________
Stops converting glucose into
glycogen
____________ ____________

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 Receptors on the pancreas Liver cells convert
detect this change and it glucose into
releases _______________. glycogen
______________.
insulin

Blood glucose levels Blood glucose levels reduce.

increase. Insulin secretion stops.

Normal blood glucose levels

Blood glucose levels
Blood glucose levels Glucagon
increase. ___________
decrease.
secretion stops.

Receptors on the pancreas

detect this change and it Liver
_________cells
releases _____________. convert glycogen into
glucagon glucose
___________.

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Exam style question
Describe the body’s response to a decrease in the concentration of glucose within
the blood. [4]

When blood glucose levels ___________ , this is detected by glucose receptors in the P___________

The releases into the blood.

The stimulates the cells to convert glycogen into_________.

When blood glucose levels return to normal the pancreas ___________releasing glucagon.

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Exam style question
Describe the body’s response to a decrease in the concentration of glucose within
the blood. [4]

When blood glucose levels decrease, this is detected by glucose receptors in the pancreas.

The pancreas releases glucagon into the blood.

The glucagon stimulates the liver cells to convert glycogen into glucose.

When blood glucose levels return to normal the pancreas stops releasing glucagon.

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 Exam style question

Explain the role of insulin in maintaining blood glucose levels. [4]

Keywords: pancreas, glucagon, liver, glycogen, glucose

When blood glucose levels increase, this is detected by glucose receptors in the pancreas.

The pancreas releases insulin into the blood.

The insulin stimulates the liver cells to convert and store glucose as glycogen .

When blood glucose levels return to normal the pancreas stops releasing glucagon.

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