Question 1: What is blood glucose, and why is its regulation important for the human body?

Answer: Blood glucose is the level of sugar in the blood, primarily from food intake. Its regulation is important to ensure cells receive a constant energy supply and to prevent health issues like hypoglycemia or diabetes.

Question 2: Describe the roles of insulin and glucagon in blood glucose regulation.

Answer: Insulin lowers blood glucose levels by helping cells absorb glucose for energy or storage, especially after eating. Glucagon raises blood glucose levels by signaling the liver to release stored glucose when blood sugar is low.

Question 1: A person's blood glucose level is measured as 150 mg/dL after a meal. If the normal range is 70-110 mg/dL, by how much does the level exceed the upper limit? Show your calculation.

Answer: 150 mg/dL - 110 mg/dL = 40 mg/dL

Question 2: If a person’s blood glucose drops to 60 mg/dL during fasting, how many mg/dL below the lower limit (70 mg/dL) is this? Show your work.

Answer: 70 mg/dL - 60 mg/dL = 10 mg/dL

Question 1: Design a simple experiment to test how eating different types of food affects blood glucose levels. Mention the variables involved and safety precautions.

Answer: The experiment involves measuring blood glucose levels after consuming various foods (e.g., sugary snack, fruit, carbohydrate-rich meal). Independent variable: type of food; dependent variable: blood glucose level; controlled variables: amount of food, time of measurement. Safety precautions include using sterile lancets, proper disposal of sharps, and ensuring participants are healthy and consented.

Question 2: Identify two variables that must be kept constant in the experiment you described.

Answer: Amount of food given to each participant and the time at which blood glucose is measured.

Question 1: A group of volunteers had their blood glucose levels measured before and after eating a sugary snack. The average levels increased from 90 mg/dL to 140 mg/dL. Interpret this data in terms of hormonal response.

Answer: The increase in blood glucose levels indicates that after eating, blood sugar rises, prompting the pancreas to release insulin to lower the levels. The data shows normal hormonal response to carbohydrate intake.

Question 2: A person with diabetes has blood glucose levels that do not decrease after insulin administration. What might this suggest about their hormonal regulation?

Answer: It suggests that their body may not be responding properly to insulin, possibly due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production, leading to poor regulation of blood glucose.

Question 1: Explain how a diet high in sugar affects blood glucose regulation and the body’s hormonal response.

Answer: A high-sugar diet causes frequent spikes in blood glucose levels, prompting the pancreas to release more insulin. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, where cells become less responsive to insulin, increasing the risk of diabetes and other health problems.

Question 2: Describe how modern technology, such as continuous glucose monitors, helps people manage their blood glucose levels.

Answer: Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time data on blood sugar levels, allowing users to track trends and manage their diet, activity, and insulin intake more effectively, reducing health risks associated with blood sugar fluctuations.