Maintaining Blood Glucose Levels (WJEC GCSE Biology)

Revision Note

Cara Head

Author

Cara Head

Last updated

Blood Glucose Levels

  • Blood glucose concentration is monitored and controlled by the pancreas
  • The pancreas is an endocrine gland (making and secreting hormones into the bloodstream) 
  • Blood glucose concentration must be kept within a narrow range, so it’s an example of homeostasis 
    • Too high a level of glucose in the blood can lead to cells of the body losing water by osmosis, which can be dangerous
    • Too low a level of glucose in the blood can lead to the brain receiving insufficient glucose for respiration, potentially leading to a coma or even death
  • If the blood glucose concentration gets too high:
    • Cells in the pancreas detect the increased blood glucose levels
    • The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, secreting it into the blood
    • Insulin stimulates muscles and the liver to take up glucose from the bloodstream and store it as glycogen (an insoluble polymer of glucose)
    • This reduces the concentration of glucose in the blood back to normal levels, at which point the pancreas stops secreting insulin

Control of blood glucose diagram

blood-glucose-insulin

The hormone insulin regulates the blood glucose levels when they become too high

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Cara Head

Author: Cara Head

Expertise: Biology

Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding