Diabetes (AQA A Level Biology): Revision Note

Type I and type II diabetes

• Diabetes is a condition in which the homeostatic control of blood glucose has failed or deteriorated; this can result in:

  • high blood glucose

  • symptoms such as glucose in the urine, dehydration and fatigue

• There are two different types of diabetes:

  • type I

  • type II

Type I diabetes

• In type I diabetes the pancreas fails to produce insulin

• Onset often occurs in childhood, and is caused by an autoimmune attack on the β cells

• Type 1 diabetes is normally treated with insulin injections that are calculated on the basis of carbohydrate intake and exercise

Type II diabetes

• In type II diabetes insulin receptors no longer respond to insulin

• Development usually occurs in adults, and is linked to risk factors such as obesity, a high carbohydrate diet, age and family history

• Treatments for type II diabetes include:

  • a low carbohydrate diet

  • exercise

  • medications that help the cells to take up glucose from the blood

Evaluating approaches to type II diabetes

• Incidence of type II diabetes is increasing, so the responses of public bodies are important in determining health outcomes

• Approaches from health advisers include:

  • promoting public health campaigns that encourage healthy eating and regular physical activity

  • making recommendations that people reduce intake of processed foods, saturated fats, and sugary drinks

  • asking the government to improve laws around nutrition labelling on food

• Approaches from the food industry include:

  • reformulating products to reduce sugar, salt, and fat content

  • attempting to maintain profits by continuing to produce and advertise unhealthy foods