Question 1: Define Diabetes Mellitus and explain the primary difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Answer: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic condition characterised by high blood glucose levels due to the body's inability to produce or respond properly to insulin. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system destroys insulin-producing cells, leading to little or no insulin production. Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance and a relative deficiency of insulin.

Question 2: Describe the role of insulin in regulating blood glucose levels.

Answer: Insulin is a hormone that lowers blood glucose levels by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells, especially in the liver and muscles, and stimulating the conversion of glucose into glycogen for storage.

Question 1: Explain how autoimmune responses lead to Type 1 diabetes.

Answer: In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, resulting in little or no insulin being produced, which causes high blood glucose levels.

Question 2: List two factors that contribute to insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes.

Answer: Obesity and genetic predisposition are two factors that contribute to insulin resistance.

Question 1: A patient has a blood glucose level of 9.5 mmol/L. After insulin administration, the level drops to 5.0 mmol/L. Calculate the change in blood glucose level and state whether this is within the normal range (4.0 - 7.8 mmol/L).

Answer: Change = 9.5 mmol/L - 5.0 mmol/L = 4.5 mmol/L; The final level (5.0 mmol/L) is within the normal range.

Question 1: Design a simple experiment to test the effect of a new drug on blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Identify the independent, dependent, and control variables, as well as safety precautions.

Answer: The experiment involves two groups of diabetic rats: one receiving the drug and one receiving a placebo. The independent variable is the drug dosage; the dependent variable is the blood glucose level; control variables include age and weight of rats, environment, and feeding schedule. Safety precautions include proper handling of animals, use of protective equipment, and ethical approval.

Question 1: A group of diabetic patients shows the following average fasting blood glucose levels: 8.2 mmol/L, 9.0 mmol/L, 7.5 mmol/L, and 8.8 mmol/L. Interpret this data in terms of disease control and suggest possible reasons for variability.

Answer: The blood glucose levels are above the normal range (4.0 - 7.8 mmol/L), indicating poor disease control. Variability could be due to differences in diet, medication adherence, physical activity, or stress levels among patients.

Question 1: Explain the physiological differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and how these differences affect their treatment options. (6 marks)

Answer: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells, leading to little or no insulin production, requiring insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance and a relative insulin deficiency, often managed through lifestyle changes, oral medications, and sometimes insulin. The key difference is the cause: autoimmune versus resistance, affecting treatment methods accordingly.

Question 2: Discuss the potential long-term health complications of unmanaged Diabetes Mellitus.

Answer: Unmanaged diabetes can lead to complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness, and increased risk of infections.

Question 1: Describe how continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have improved diabetes management in daily life.

Answer: CGM devices provide real-time blood glucose readings, allowing for better insulin dosing, reducing episodes of hypo- or hyperglycaemia, and improving overall disease management and quality of life.

Question 2: Explain how advances in biotechnology could lead to better treatments or cures for Diabetes in the future.

Answer: Advances such as stem cell therapy, artificial pancreas systems, and gene editing could provide better treatments or potential cures by restoring insulin production or improving regulation of blood glucose levels.