Biology HL
Biology HL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme D - Continuity & Change

Master Your Blood Sugar The Hormonal Dance

Word Count Emoji
426 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Hey Biology buffs! Welcome to the wild world of hormones and homeostasis! Let's dive into how our body is like a master juggler, keeping things like our blood sugar in check! 🤹‍♀️

What’s the Deal with Blood Glucose? 🍭

Blood glucose is the sugar delivered by your blood to all your cells. Imagine it as the fuel that makes your cellular engines vroom! 🚗

Key Points

  • Blood glucose concentrations: Kept within tight limits (around 5 mmol/L).
  • Volume: There’s only about 5 grams of glucose in the blood. That's like a teaspoon! 🥄

The Real MVPs - Insulin and Glucagon 🏆

Insulin 💉

  • Source: Beta cells (β cells) in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
  • Trigger: Activated when blood glucose rises above the set point.
  • Action: Helps cells soak up glucose like a sponge! 🧽 Particularly in skeletal muscle and the liver.
  • Effect: Reduces blood glucose by converting it to glycogen, which is like a storage unit for glucose.

Real-world example

When you eat a candy bar 🍫, your blood glucose spikes. Insulin is like the responsible adult that says, “Woah there! Let's put some of this sugar away for later!”

Glucagon 🆙

  • Source: Alpha cells (α cells) in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
  • Trigger: Released when blood glucose dips below the set point.
  • Action: Encourages the liver to break down glycogen into glucose.
  • Effect: Increases blood glucose levels.

Real-world example

If you skip breakfast and go for a jog 🏃‍♀️, your blood sugar could drop. Glucagon is the lifeguard that blows the whistle and says, “Release the sugar! We need more energy here!”

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IB Resources
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme D - Continuity & Change

Master Your Blood Sugar The Hormonal Dance

Word Count Emoji
426 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Hey Biology buffs! Welcome to the wild world of hormones and homeostasis! Let's dive into how our body is like a master juggler, keeping things like our blood sugar in check! 🤹‍♀️

What’s the Deal with Blood Glucose? 🍭

Blood glucose is the sugar delivered by your blood to all your cells. Imagine it as the fuel that makes your cellular engines vroom! 🚗

Key Points

  • Blood glucose concentrations: Kept within tight limits (around 5 mmol/L).
  • Volume: There’s only about 5 grams of glucose in the blood. That's like a teaspoon! 🥄

The Real MVPs - Insulin and Glucagon 🏆

Insulin 💉

  • Source: Beta cells (β cells) in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
  • Trigger: Activated when blood glucose rises above the set point.
  • Action: Helps cells soak up glucose like a sponge! 🧽 Particularly in skeletal muscle and the liver.
  • Effect: Reduces blood glucose by converting it to glycogen, which is like a storage unit for glucose.

Real-world example

When you eat a candy bar 🍫, your blood glucose spikes. Insulin is like the responsible adult that says, “Woah there! Let's put some of this sugar away for later!”

Glucagon 🆙

  • Source: Alpha cells (α cells) in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
  • Trigger: Released when blood glucose dips below the set point.
  • Action: Encourages the liver to break down glycogen into glucose.
  • Effect: Increases blood glucose levels.

Real-world example

If you skip breakfast and go for a jog 🏃‍♀️, your blood sugar could drop. Glucagon is the lifeguard that blows the whistle and says, “Release the sugar! We need more energy here!”

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟