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B5 part 7 - Blood glucose regulation - Coggle Diagram
B5 part 7 - Blood glucose regulation
We need a supply of glucose in our blood so that our cells can respire efficiently.
The issue is Glucose is soluble so it effects the osmotic potential of the blood plasma.
If there is too much sugar in the blood then water will leave the red blood cells.
This causes the red blood cells to shrivel and become unable to carry oxygen.
if there is too little glucose in the plasma then the water will move from the plasma to the red blood cell
Thus, the body tries to keep the concentration of glucose in the blood constant at around 80mg per litre.
The endocrine system is responsible for keeping the blood glucose level at a constant.
The pancreas is the main organ for this, but the liver also plays a role in storing glucose as insoluable glucose
If there is too little glucose in the plasma then the water will move from the plasma to the red blood cell
Causing the red blood cells to swell and burst
If the concentration of blood glucose is too low, e.g. during exercise or the subject hasn’t eaten for a while, the pancreas detects this and releases the hormone glucagon.
Glucagon travels through the blood and causes muscle and liver cells to convert stored glycogen to glucose. This glucose then diffuses into the blood stream. The concentration of glucose increases.
When the glycogen stores in your muscles and liver are full, any excess glucose is converted into lipids and stored
This will eventually result in obesity
When you eat your blood sugar rises
Ø The pancreas detects the rise in blood glucose
Ø The pancreas secretes insulin into the blood stream
Ø The insulin travels to the liver
Ø The liver absorbs the glucose and converts it in to glycogen
Ø Blood glucose returns to normal
When you exercise your blood sugar falls
Ø The pancreas detects the fall in blood glucose
Ø The pancreas secretes glucagon into the blood stream
Ø The glucagon travels to the liver
Ø The liver converts glycogen to glucose and releases it in to the blood
Ø Blood glucose returns to normal