New
New
Year 10
AQA
Higher

Insulin, glucagon and the control of blood sugar level

I can describe the role of the hormones insulin and glucagon in controlling blood sugar level.

New
New
Year 10
AQA
Higher

Insulin, glucagon and the control of blood sugar level

I can describe the role of the hormones insulin and glucagon in controlling blood sugar level.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. If conditions in the body change too much, this can be dangerous to our health.
  2. Glucose travels in the blood and is delivered to cells for respiration.
  3. The hormones insulin and glucagon help to keep human blood sugar level constant.
  4. The pancreas secretes insulin when blood sugar level is too high; the liver absorbs glucose and coverts it to glycogen.
  5. The pancreas secretes glucagon when blood sugar level is too low; the liver converts glycogen into glucose in the blood.

Common misconception

Not linking the idea that glucose concentration is important for cellular respiration, even during times of rest.

There are a selection of slides in LC1 that specifically link glucose and respiration and discuss the idea of respiration occurring during rest.

Keywords

  • Respiration - a chemical reaction in livings organisms that releases energy from glucose

  • Glucose - is a sugar that travels in the blood and is supplied to cells for respiration

  • Glycogen - is a stored form of glucose found in liver and muscle cells

  • Insulin - a hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose is too high, lowering blood glucose levels

  • Glucagon - a hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose is too low, increasing blood glucose levels

Equipment

None required.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of the sugar that is a reactant for respiration?
glycogen
Correct answer: glucose
oxygen
water
Q2.
Which gland in the endocrine system is circled in this image?
An image in a quiz
adrenal glands
thyroid gland
ovaries
Correct answer: pancreas
Q3.
The pancreas is a gland in the endocrine system, what does it secrete?
lysozyme
glucose
Correct answer: hormones
white blood cells
Q4.
Match the activity to the effect it has on blood glucose concentration.
Correct Answer:eating,increase in blood glucose concentration

increase in blood glucose concentration

Correct Answer:exercising,decrease in blood glucose concentration

decrease in blood glucose concentration

Q5.
How do hormones travel around the body?
in the red blood cells
along neurones
Correct answer: in the blood plasma
Q6.
In which sub-cellular structure does aerobic respiration take place?
nucleus
Correct answer: mitochondria
ribosome
chloroplast

6 Questions

Q1.
Which organ in the body detects changes in blood glucose concentration?
liver
small intestines
Correct answer: pancreas
stomach
Q2.
What process regulates the internal conditions in the body for optimum enzyme activity?
respiration
digestion
Correct answer: homeostasis
body regulation
Q3.
Match the hormone to the condition in which they are secreted.
Correct Answer:insulin,blood glucose too high

blood glucose too high

Correct Answer:glucagon,blood glucose too low

blood glucose too low

Q4.
Put these steps in order to show what happens after eating a meal.
1 - Eating causes an increase in blood glucose concentration.
2 - The pancreas detects the increase in blood glucose concentration.
3 - The pancreas secretes insulin into the blood.
4 - Insulin targets the liver and muscle cells.
5 - Blood glucose levels decrease back to normal.
Q5.
What do liver and muscle cells store glucose as?
glucagon
insulin
starch
Correct answer: glycogen
Q6.
Which statements are true when blood glucose is too low?
Correct answer: The pancreas secretes glucagon.
The liver cells absorb more glucose.
Correct answer: Glycogen in the liver cells is converted into glucose.
Glucose in blood is stored as glycogen in the liver.