1 How are levels of insulin and glucagon regulated in the bo

1.   How are levels of insulin and glucagon regulated in the body?
2.   What causes the insulin shock seen when an overdose of insulin is given to an organism?
3.   Why does a person who has diabetes mellitus have more acidic urine?
4.   What causes an increase in urine output (diuresis) in diabetes mellitus?
5.   The glycemic index (GI) measure the rate at which carbohydrates are absorbed into the bloodstream. Those foods with a high glycemic index, such as table sugar, are absorbed very fast, and those with a low glycemic index, such as lentils, are absorbed very slowly. Would the preferred food for a diabetic be one with a high GI or a low GI? Explain your answer.

Solution

Ans to Question 1:

Insulin and glucagon are hormones secreted by Islet cells of the pancreas. They are both secreted in response to blood sugar levels and regulated in the body by this response mechanism.

When the sugar levels in the blood increase, the beta cells, which are a type of islet cell, of the pancreas increase secretion of insulin into the blood (and vice versa). Insulin triggers a response from various cells including muscle, red blood cells and fat cells. In response to insulin, these cells absorb glucose out of the blood, thereby lowering the level of glucose in the blood. As the glucose levels start lowering, the insulin secretion too starts reducing until the blood glucose levels come back to normal, at which time, the insulin secretion also reverts to normal secretion levels.

Glucagon is secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas. The glucagon mechanism is very similar to the insulin mechanism, except that it works in the opposite direction. That is, if blood glucose levels are high, then no glucagon is secreted. When the levels are low, such as between meals, more amount of glucagon is secreted. Increased levels of glucagon trigger the liver to release more glucose into the blood. This mechanism continues until the sugar levels in the blood raise and return back to normal.