Blood Glucose Regulation

Blood Glucose Regulation

Why Is Blood Glucose Control Important?

The body needs a steady supply of glucose for energy, especially for the brain and muscles. Too much or too little glucose can be dangerous.

💡 Key Concept: The pancreas monitors and controls blood glucose using hormones: insulin and glucagon.

The Role of the Pancreas

Hormone

Released When…

Effect on Body

Insulin

Blood glucose is too high

Causes glucose to be stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle cells.

Glucagon

Blood glucose is too low

Causes glycogen to be broken down into glucose and released into the blood.

Negative Feedback Loop

Blood glucose regulation is a perfect example of a negative feedback system, which reverses a change to keep levels stable.

✔ Too much glucose → insulin released → glucose removed from blood.
✔ Too little glucose → glucagon released → glucose added to blood.

💡 Negative feedback brings the body back to normal.

What Is Diabetes?

Type of Diabetes

Cause

How It’s Managed

Type 1 Diabetes

Pancreas does not produce insulin

Insulin injections; monitoring diet and blood sugar.

Type 2 Diabetes

Body becomes resistant to insulin

Controlled with exercise, healthy diet, and sometimes medication.

💡 Key Differences:

  • Type 1 = autoimmune, often starts in childhood.
  • Type 2 = linked to obesity and lifestyle; more common in adults.

Questions 

  1. Which organ controls blood glucose levels?
  2. What hormone lowers blood sugar?
  3. What happens when blood sugar is too low?
  4. How is glucose stored in the body?
  5. What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

Summary 

  • Blood glucose is controlled by insulin (lowers) and glucagon (raises), both from the pancreas.
  • This is an example of a negative feedback loop.
  • Type 1 diabetes is managed with insulin, while Type 2 diabetes is usually managed with lifestyle changes.