Blood Glucose Regulation (SQA National 5 Biology): Revision Note

Blood glucose regulation

• Blood glucose concentration is monitored and controlled by the pancreas, which acts as an endocrine gland (secreting hormones into the bloodstream)

• Maintaining blood glucose within a narrow range is vital for normal body function

• Eating carbohydrate-rich foods increases glucose levels in the bloodstream

  • If blood glucose concentration gets too high:

    • Cells in the pancreas detect the rise

    • The pancreas secretes insulin into the blood

    • Insulin stimulates muscle and liver cells to absorb glucose and store it as glycogen (an insoluble storage form of glucose)

    • This lowers blood glucose concentration back to normal, and the pancreas stops releasing insulin

  • If blood glucose concentration gets too low:

    • Cells in the pancreas detect the drop

    • The pancreas secretes glucagon into the blood

    • Glucagon stimulates the liver to break down glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream

    • This raises blood glucose concentration back to normal, and the pancreas stops releasing glucagon