Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels.

Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels Maintaining normal blood glucose levels greatly reduces the risk of experiencing complications due to diabetes. Whether an individual has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, regular use of a glucose monitor to determine blood sugar levels will help determine what adjustments to diet, oral medications, or insulin injections may be necessary to achieve good control. What's Glucose? Glucose is a simple form of sugar. Dextrose, fructose, sucrose and other forms of sugar are broken down into glucose so the body can use it for energy or store it for later use. What Does Insulin Do? In a normally functioning body, the intake of food triggers the release of a corresponding amount of insulin. As food is digested, the bloodstream carries the nutrients to the various cells where insulin "unlocks" the door and allows the cells to use the glucose. With diabetes, the body is unable to make or properly use insulin so sugar remains in the bloodstream. Normal Blood Glucose Levels Blood sugar levels are considered within the normal range when they measure between 80 and 120 mg/dl after fasting. The goal is to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Low blood sugar can occur suddenly. Its symptoms can include dizziness, shakiness, weakness, sweating, nervousness, irritability and hunger. Left untreated, low blood sugar can lead to convulsions and

  • Word count: 1756
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
Access this essay

Control Of Blood Glucose.

Control Of Blood Glucose Blood glucose is the primary source of energy in the human body, and is the only source of energy for the brain. The glucose is transported all over the body via the blood plasma and if there is too much present it is stored in the kidneys as glycogen (polysaccharide carbohydrate). The level of blood glucose has to be maintained by the body. Too higher levels or too lower levels will cause problems in the body. The osmotic properties of the cell will be affected, if there are high amounts of glucose outside the cell and low amounts inside the cell, which will mean there are higher amounts of water inside the cell as there is outside the cell, so water will move out of the cell and the cells will begin to shrink. Another big problem is that the cells will not be able to respire properly as they will not have the correct amounts of energy. This can be particularly dangerous to the brain cells as their only source of energy comes from glucose. Cells take up the glucose through insulin this is secreted by the Islet B cells (ß cells). When the cells do not secrete enough insulin the body cannot take up the glucose properly and problems will begin to occur. When the production of insulin in the body starts to break down or if enough is not produced, problems will occur. This problem is classed as a disease Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). There are 2

  • Word count: 1118
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

Homeostatic Control of Blood Glucose Levels

Adnan Undre Homeostatic Control of Blood Glucose Levels Glucose is an essential substance in the body as it the primary source of energy for all biological functions and is indeed the only form of energy which can be used by the brain and central nervous system. The ideal level of blood glucose is 80 - 90mg of glucose per 100mls of blood. However this level is not static - it oscillates due to changes in the body which are brought about by actions such as eating a meal, exercising, or not eating for long periods. If blood glucose levels drop or rise dramatically there may be serious consequences such as hypo- or hyperglycaemia which can both cause death. Thus it is necessary for blood glucose levels to be regulated and this is achieved through homeostasis. To work effectively homeostasis requires an effective receptor to detect variations from the norm and a negative feedback system where antagonistic processes work to redress any variations as they occur. By examining the mechanisms of the homeostatic control of blood glucose levels it should be possible to explore the consequences of a breakdown of this part of the endocrine system. Essentially, blood glucose levels are controlled by the pancreas. It is in this organ that areas of cells called the Islets of Langerhans exist, which consist of alpha cells and beta cells. These cells monitor blood glucose and secrete the

  • Ranking:
  • Word count: 1123
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
Access this essay

The Importance of Controlling Blood Glucose

The Importance of Controlling Blood Glucose Adrenaline known as the 'fight or flight' hormone is given off when the body receives a shock, its overall affect id to provide more glucose and more oxygen for working muscles. Adrenaline increases the concentration of glucose in the blood for respiration. However, constant high concentrations of glucose in the blood are harmful. An ideal concentration of glucose in the blood is normally maintained by two additional hormones, insulin and glucagons. These two hormones are secreted by cells in the pancreas in response to changes in the bloods glucose concentration. They affect liver, fat tissue and muscle. Insulin is released when blood sugar is too high. It stimulates the removal of glucose in the blood. Glucagon is released when blood sugar is too low. It stimulates the release of glucose into the blood. Insulin controls the conversion of glucose to glycogen; glucagon controls the conversion of glycogen to glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar which is soluble in blood plasma and the cells cytoplasm. Glycogen is a polysaccharide and is insoluble. Polysaccharides are formed from many of the simplest carbohydrates called monosaccharides, they are insoluble, so they are good stores of energy and can form independent structures such as cellulose cell walls. Glucose is therefore the usable form of carbohydrate and glycogen is the

  • Word count: 485
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
Access this essay

Effects of Exercise on Blood Sugar Level and Pulse Rate.

Biology Course Work 1 Topic: Effects of Exercise on Blood Sugar Level and Pulse Rate. Hypothesis: I hypothesize that during exercise the blood sugar level will rise and the pulse rate will increase. Background Knowledge: One of the most important metabolites in the blood is glucose. Its level must be controlled strictly. Glucose is the main respiratory substrate and must be supplied continuously to cells. The brain cells are especially dependant on glucose and are unable to use any other metabolites as an energy source. Lack of glucose results in fainting. The normal glucose level in the blood is 90 mg per 100 cm3 blood, but may vary from 70 mg per 100 cm3 blood during fasting up to 150 mg per 100 cm3 blood following a meal. During exercise, the rate of respiration will increase because the body has to break down more of sugar store in presence of oxygen to carbon dioxide and water to produce energy. The following equation is a summary of the reaction: C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O + 38 ATPs Effects of Exercise on Body's Metabolic Processes and Hormone Production: Respiration is a process by which the body uses sugar for energy. Carbohydrates, one of the three principal constituents of food, form the bulk of the average human diet. The end product of the digestion and assimilation of all forms of carbohydrate is a simple

  • Word count: 5141
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Science
Access this essay

Homeostasis - Describe how temperature, blood sugar level and water are maintained in the body.

LO: Describe how temperature, blood sugar level and water are maintained in the body. What is homeostasis? Homeostasis means keeping your mind at a constant level internally. Homeostasis carries around every nerve and cell in the body. Controlling body temperature What is your core body temperature? Ones core body temperature is 37.7ºc. * E.g. If your body is in a hot environment your body temperature is 37ºC * If your body is in a cold environment your body temperature is still 37ºC Describe adjustments that your body makes in response to being too hot and in response to being too cold. In response to your body being too hot/cold when you are cold you shiver to try to keep yourself warm, furthermore the hairs on your body stand up to trap the warm particles onto the skin. * When your body is hot, sweat glands are stimulated to release sweat. Controlling blood sugar level Explain how blood sugar level is monitored and adjusted in the body. Include the following key words: Insulin, glucose, glycogen, glucagons, liver. Describe the problems faced by diabetics. * Excess glucose gets turned into glycogen in the liver * This is regulated by 2 hormones (chemicals) from the pancreas called: Insulin & Glucagon. Diabetes is a life-long health condition. People with diabetes tend to have a higher risk of heart disease, eye complication and skin complications and

  • Word count: 332
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Science
Access this essay

Describe the concept of homeostasis and the homeostatic mechanisms that regulate heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature and blood glucose levels.

Saira Iram Shaukat Unit 5- Senzenni Assignment 4 Homeostasis-P5 P5) Describe the concept of homeostasis and the homeostatic mechanisms that regulate heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature and blood glucose levels. Definition of Homeostasis The actual word homeostasis means "steady state". Homeostasis describes how the body regulates its process to keep its internal conditions as stable as possible. Homeostasis is necessary because human cells are efficient but very demanding. The phrase "steady state" is a bit confusing; the conditions inside our bodies are not constant but are kept within a narrow range. Some factors such as core temperature and blood pH change slightly while others such as blood glucose vary considerably throughout a normal day without producing any harmful effects. A very brief description of homeostasis is that it is the maintenance of a constant internal environment in response to a change in external environment. Internal environment The conditions that prevail within the body of an organism, particularly with respect to the composition of the tissue fluid. To function properly they need to be bathed in tissue fluid that can provide the optimum conditions. Nutrients and oxygen must be delivered and waste needs to be removed. To maintain the internal environment there are 3 things that need to be done: * Organisms keep conditions in

  • Word count: 2516
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
Access this essay

Diabetes Mellitus, common disorder of metabolism in which the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood is too high, a condition known as hyperglycaemia.

Diabetes Mellitus, common disorder of metabolism in which the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood is too high, a condition known as hyperglycaemia. CAUSES Diabetes develops either because the body's pancreas is not producing enough of the hormone insulin to metabolize glucose, or because the insulin fails to act on receptor cells in the blood. When blood glucose rises above a certain level, it spills over into the urine. The condition, which may be hereditary, affects roughly 3 per cent of men and 2 per cent of women; up to half of the affected population may not have been diagnosed. Though there is no cure for diabetes mellitus, proper insulin and other therapy together with a correct diet enable most patients to live virtually normal lives with minimal side effects, though their mortality rate is higher. EFFECTS Moderately raised blood glucose levels can eventually cause kidney failure; damage to vision from ruptured blood vessels in the eyes; and restricted blood flow to the limbs, which may lead to gangrene and subsequent amputation. Diabetes mellitus is also associated with a risk of coronary heart disease that is two to three times higher in men, and four to five times higher in women before the menopause. The risk of a stroke is increased two to three times. Untreated, the disease can lead to coma and death, which was the usual outcome before the

  • Word count: 1097
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
Access this essay

There are certain levels used to establish whether a person is diabetic or not after using tests which measure glucose amount in blood and urine.

Anthony Crute Table 1 Concentration glucose g100cm¯3 6 3.6 3 2.4 .6 .2 0.6 Time to decolourise manganese (VII) (s) 78 240 266 331 495 784 180 Table 3 A B C D Start (m) 0.00 .00 2.00 3.00 Finish (m) 0.00 9.00 6.00 N/A Time (m) 0 8.00 4.00 N/A Time (s) 600 480 840 N/A Table 4 Time to clear Glucose g.100 Actual divided by 10 Diabetic/ None Urine/ Blood plasma A 600 .5 0.15 Diabetic Urine B 480 .8 0.18 Diabetic Blood Plasma C 840 .1 0.11 Normal Blood Plasma D N/A N/A N/A Normal Urine The actual shown in table 4 is found by dividing by 10 because the solution was concentrated 10 times so to find the actual figure it must be divided by 10. I can tell by referring to my tables that solution A is a Diabetic and the sample is urine, I can tell this because the biuret test which is shown in table 4 showed it was urine and the fact that there is any glucose in it proves the person is diabetic. I can tell B is diabetic and the sample is blood plasma using the biuret test and comparing the results of the actual, I can see that it is over the boundary for amount of glucose in a normal persons blood. I can tell C is from a normal person and the sample is blood plasma using the biuret test and comparing the results of the actual, I can see that it is within the range for the amount of glucose in a normal persons

  • Word count: 1145
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
Access this essay

Blood Experiment

Blood Experiment Brief Sugar is an important part of the bloodstream. We can test blood by dropping it through copper sulphate. The more sugar it contains the faster it falls. The lab has been given a set of samples taken from 2 people before and after a meal. One person has been showing signs of excessive thirst and weight loss. The other has no such symptoms. Task Use your scientific knowledge to predict the expected results from both patients and to explain these predictions as fully as possible. Prediction I predict that for the normal person, the sugar level will rise after the meal and then drop. I predict that for the second person (who is a diabetic) the sugar level will rise higher and take longer to drop. I predict this because for a diabetic their pancreas doesn't make enough, or any, insulin. When the blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas monitors this and releases insulin into the blood. For a diabetic this doesn't happen so if the blood sugar levels rise it will take longer to drop. A diabetic has more sugar in their blood, so the blood is heavier, so the drop of blood will fall faster through the copper sulphate. Here are my predicted graph shapes: Results For person A: Time Intervals Tests 1pm 1.30pm 2pm 2.30pm 3pm 41.30 28.50 28.25 38.41 31.72 2 52.07 34.71 34.00 33.53 34.75 3 57.25 40.16 39.9 34.25 49.88 4 49.81 29.53 29.40

  • Word count: 1844
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
Access this essay