1. Describe the way that pancreatic b-cells detect heightened blood glucose leve

Question

1. Describe the way that pancreatic b-cells detect heightened blood glucose levels. What part(s) of this process correspond to the Reception, Transduction, and Response phases of cell signaling?

2. At a cellular and molecular level, what is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes? What parts (if any) of the basic pathways of blood sugar homeostasis are disrupted in each one?

3. How is signaling by insulin turned off after blood sugar levels have gone down? What problem could result if cells expressing the insulin receptor were not able to ‘turn off’ the signal transduction pathway that was activated by insulin?

Explanation / Answer

Ans 1: When blood glucose level rises, Pancreatic beta-cells increases the oxidative metabolism. This increases the ATP/ADP ratio in the cytoplasm, closure of KATP channels, plasma membrane depolarization, influx of calcium and the eventual secretion of insulin.
Reception – The target cell detects a signalling molecule present in the exogenous environment.
Transduction – Conversion of the signal to a form that can bring about a specific cellular response.
Response – the specific cellular effect brought about by the signalling molecule

Ans 2: Type 1 diabetes is mostly found in children and young adults. Type 2 is found in adults.
           In type 1, the beta cells generally die from a misguided attack by the body’s immune system and is caused by an autoimmune response against insulin-producing beta cells. In type 2, the body becomes resistant to insulin and produces higher quantity in order to compensate it and is related to weight, age, inactivity and genetics.                  
           Treatment for type 1 include insulin while in type 2 diabetes, treatment usually include acombination of medications, diet, exercise and insulin.
This pathway is also influenced by fed versus fasting states, stress levels, and a variety of other hormones.Talking about blood homeostasis, when blood glucose levels are low the pancreas reacts to it by decreasing its insulin secretion. But, If the blood glucose level drops lower than this the alpha cells release a hormone called glucagon. This stimulates the liver to manufacture more glucose and finally, it release it into the bloodstream.

Ans 3: When blood sugar levels are diminished, Glucagon secretion increases. If they were not able to turn off the signal then there won't be any countering mechanism to check insulin's effects upon glucose and fat metabolism.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 1
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.