Blood glucose level is regulated by a feedback loop, shown in the diagram below. People with diabetes either cannot make insulin, or their bodies cannot use insulin properly.
What does the diagram suggest about the effectiveness of the feedback loop at regulating the blood glucose level of diabetics?
A. It is effective because it allows diabetics to produce insulin.
B. It is effective because it allows diabetics to break down glycogen into glucose.
C. It is ineffective because diabetics will not be able to increase their blood glucose level.
D. It is ineffective because diabetics will not be able to uptake glucose or convert it into lipids or glycogen.
I have no idea what the answer to this is. I've been working on it for over an hour, and just don't understand it. Please help ASAP
To determine the answer, let's break down the diagram and understand how the feedback loop works in regulating blood glucose levels.
The feedback loop for blood glucose regulation involves three main components: the pancreas, which produces insulin; the liver, which stores and releases glucose; and the target cells, which respond to insulin.
In a healthy individual, when blood glucose levels rise, the pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin then acts on target cells, such as muscle and adipose cells, to increase their glucose uptake. It also signals the liver to convert excess glucose into glycogen for storage.
Conversely, when blood glucose levels fall, the pancreas reduces the secretion of insulin. This leads to the breakdown of glycogen in the liver, releasing glucose into the bloodstream and increasing blood glucose levels.
Now, let's examine the options:
A. It is effective because it allows diabetics to produce insulin.
This option is incorrect because diabetics either cannot produce insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or cannot use it properly (Type 2 diabetes). Therefore, producing insulin is not applicable to diabetics.
B. It is effective because it allows diabetics to break down glycogen into glucose.
This option is also incorrect since diabetics can have difficulties in breaking down glycogen and releasing glucose due to insulin deficiency or resistance.
C. It is ineffective because diabetics will not be able to increase their blood glucose level.
This option is incorrect because the feedback loop does not aim to increase blood glucose levels, but rather regulate them within a normal range. Diabetics can experience increased blood glucose levels due to the lack of insulin or insulin resistance.
D. It is ineffective because diabetics will not be able to uptake glucose or convert it into lipids or glycogen.
This option is correct. In diabetes, the absence or ineffectiveness of insulin impairs the ability to uptake glucose effectively or convert it into lipids or glycogen. This leads to elevated blood glucose levels and a range of complications associated with diabetes.
Therefore, the correct answer is option D: It is ineffective because diabetics will not be able to uptake glucose or convert it into lipids or glycogen.