Key Concepts + Definitions
Which organ detects changes in blood glucose levels?
The pancreas
One of the body responses when body temperature gets too high
What is sweating or vasodilation (the expanding of blood vessels)
Why is glucose especially important for the brain?
The brain relies almost entirely on glucose for energy.
What hormone is released when blood glucose is too high?
Disease causing lack of insulin function which causes elevated glucose levels in the bloodstream
What is diabetes
_______ feedback is An INCREASE in one action causing an INCREASE in another
What is positive feedback
What other hormone helps increase blood glucose in a stress response?
Adrenaline
Name an adaptive advantage of being able to regulate glucose?
It supports survival during fasting, stress, and endurance activities.
Three examples of things that must be maintained at the set point to maintain homeostasis.
pH level, osmoregulation, thermoregulation, glucoregulation, oxygen homeostasis etc.
What do β-cells release, and in response to what?
Insulin in response to high blood glucose
An example of positive and negative feedback
What is Positive Feedback- Childbirth
Negative Feedback- Fever in the body, and Blood Glucose Regulation
The hormone that causes glucose to be released from the liver when blood sugar is too low
What is glucagon
How did early humans benefit from glucoregulation?
It allowed them to hunt and plan over long distances and time.
The breakdown of glycogen into glucose, primarily in the liver.
What is glycogenolysis
What is the role of the liver in glucoregulation?
It stores glucose as glycogen and releases it via glycogenolysis.
What is the function of GLUT4?
A glucose transporter activated by insulin to allow glucose into cells.
Why is metabolic flexibility important for humans?
It allows the body to switch between glucose and fat for energy.
Define the term “set point” in relation to blood glucose in one sentence and include an example.
The normal range of blood glucose, approximately 4.4–8.0 mmol/L.
Name the four steps that occur during periods of High Blood Glucose. Describe each of the steps.
1. D_______ 2. I________ R_________ 3. C________U________ 4. S_____ & F__________
Detection: After a meal, β-cells sense rising blood glucose and act.
Insulin Release: β-cells release insulin by exocytosis to lower blood glucose.
Cellular Uptake: Insulin triggers GLUT4 to move to cell membranes, allowing glucose in.
Storage & Feedback: Glucose is stored as glycogen; insulin stops as blood glucose normalizes.
Describe (in one or two sentence(s)) how feedback mechanisms work and what they include. Make sure to include key words such as; Control Centre, Effector, Receptor
Feedback mechanisms involve a receptor detecting changes in a factor (like temperature or blood glucose), which triggers a control centre and an effector to either reverse the change in negative feedback (restoring balance) or amplify it in positive feedback (driving a process to completion)
Give an example of, and describe (in one or two sentence(s)) how hormones are utilised during glucoregulation.
Context of Blood Glucose:
When glucose levels rise after eating, β‑cells in the pancreas release insulin (a hormone), which signals liver and muscle to take up and store glucose, reducing the levels;
When glucose levels fall, α‑cells release glucagon (a hormone), triggering glycogen breakdown in the liver to raise blood glucose—this negative feedback loop maintains glucose homeostasis
Describe (in one or two sentence(s)) how a breakdown in homeostasis can impact modern health.
Leads to diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, reducing life quality and expectancy etc.