Pancreas and Adrenal glands
Pancreas and Adrenal glands
- Unit 1: Cells
- Unit 2: Organisms
- Unit 3: Microorganisms
- Unit 4: Digestion and Excretion systems
- Unit 5: Respiration system
- Unit 6: Circulatory system
- Unit 7: Nervous system
- Unit 8: Senses
- Unit 9: Musculoskeletal system
- Unit 10: Endocrine system
- Unit 11: Plants
- Unit 12: Reproductive system
- Unit 13: Genetics and Biotechnology
Blood Glucose Regulation
Blood glucose regulation: In recent years, the number of people with diabetes has increased. Diabetes is a serious metabolic disease that limits movement and food intake. Obesity significantly increases the likelihood of developing this disease. Another form of diabetes occurs during youth and adolescence. Both types of diabetes are related to the hormone insulin. In this type of disease, the pancreas produces less insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels. Elevated blood glucose can cause various complications and damage body systems such as the kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. The pancreas produces two hormones that regulate blood sugar: insulin and glucagon.
Blood glucose regulation is a vital function of the body. The pancreas releases insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream depending on the body's needs. When blood glucose levels rise after eating, the pancreas secretes insulin. Insulin promotes glucose absorption into liver and muscle cells, where it is stored as glycogen. In contrast, when blood glucose drops (such as during hunger), the pancreas releases glucagon, which signals the liver to break down glycogen into glucose and release it into the blood.
The pancreas plays a dual role in regulating blood glucose by releasing insulin and glucagon according to the body's blood sugar level.
Quick Fact
Insulin and glucagon are two hormones that maintain blood sugar within a narrow and healthy range, preventing harmful highs or lows.
Important Concept
Insulin lowers blood glucose by promoting glucose uptake into liver and muscle cells, where it is stored as glycogen. In contrast, glucagon raises blood glucose by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen into glucose when energy is needed.
Common Mistake
It is incorrect to think that insulin and glucagon work together at the same time. These hormones have opposite effects and are secreted at different times depending on the blood glucose level.
Questions
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Insulin lowers blood glucose by helping cells absorb glucose and storing excess glucose in the liver and muscles as glycogen.
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The pancreas releases glucagon when blood glucose levels drop, such as during fasting or hunger.
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Glucagon signals the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream.
Did You Know?
The normal fasting blood sugar level (FBS: Fasting Blood Sugar) ranges from 75 to 100 milligrams per deciliter (100 milliliters or 100 cubic centimeters of blood).
Coping with Emotional and Physical Stress
Coping with emotional and physical pressures: Have you ever experienced emotional or physical stress?
In such situations, what changes occur in your body — like skin color, heartbeat, and sweating?
When we face intense emotional situations such as fear, loss of loved ones, accidents, or anger toward others, our behavior and body undergo sudden changes. These reactions are part of the body’s natural response to danger or intense stress.
Our nervous system helps us react quickly. But one of the main supporters of this system is the adrenal gland, located above each kidney. These glands secrete hormones that assist the body in coping with stress. Some of these hormones cause increased heart rate, faster breathing, elevated blood sugar, and increased sweating. Although these effects help us respond to danger, prolonged or repeated hormone secretion can become harmful to our health.
Our body regulates stress by releasing hormones from the adrenal glands, but long-term activation can have health risks.
Quick Fact
Each adrenal gland sits above a kidney and produces hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that prepare the body for “fight or flight.”
Important Concept
The adrenal glands help the body respond quickly to stress by releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body for rapid action by increasing heart rate, breathing, and energy availability.
Common Mistake
It is incorrect to assume that stress responses are always beneficial. While short-term hormone release helps in emergencies, prolonged stress and continuous hormone secretion can be harmful to physical and mental health.
Questions
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The adrenal glands are located above each kidney.
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They can increase heart rate, speed up breathing, raise blood glucose levels, and trigger sweating.
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Because constant release of stress hormones can negatively affect the heart, immune system, and mental well-being.