Hypoglycemia

=Diabetes= Diabetes is one of the top killer diseases (or a pre-cursor to the death). Diabetes is a disease that doesn't allow an individual to process glucose properly, which is deadly since glucose is our source of energy. There are two types: Type I & II. Type I is hereditary and is transferred from generation to generation through genes and, unfortunately, it cannot be evaded. Type II is developed through life. It can be obtained through unhealthy eating habits and lack of excercise and this type can be evaded through living a healthy lifestyle. Diabetes focuses on the malfunction of the negative feedback loop of insulin, the protein made in the Pancreas, and glucagon, another protein that should counteract the insulin, to digest and regulate blood-glucose levels. Diabetics, however, aren't able to produce insulin. =Hypoglycemia= Hypoglycemia is the opposite of Diabetes. The prefix, //hypo//, refers to the meaning of less and the actual word, //glycemia//, means sugar or glucose. Hypoglycemia is another way of saying low in sugar. Despite the fact that it is the opposite of Diabetes, it can be dangerous and life threatening if not treaated soon enough. Hypoglycemic patients will have extra insulin and lack of glucose. The insulin constantly looks for glucose to break down.

=Location of secretion= The Insulin and Glucagon is released and produced in the pancreas. The pancreas is inferior to the stomach and slightly deeper than the liver and intestines. It is also superior to the intestines.

=Negative Feedback Loop= The negative feedback loop works if there is an excess of a substance present in the environment. As a response, the pancreas, or any gland for that matter, will produce a hormone to eliminate teh excess. The negative feedack loop will produce insulin to regulate the gene expression of insulin and tansduct signals to the glucose and it goes outside of the pancreas and into the bloodstream through the GLUT 4 protein channel. To counter the effects of Insulin, Glucagon will also have gene expression to regulate the glucose levels. =Insulin and Glucagon Production= The pancreas consists of islets. There are two types: alpha and beta islets. Through the negative feedback loop, the beta islets produce insulin while the alpha islets produce glucagon. Insulin breaks down glucose and glucagon sustains glucose to prevent hypoglycemia. Insulin not being present doesn't allow for energy and excess glucose causing heart and circulatory issues. Hypoglycemia gives low blood-glucose levels and Diabetes gives high blood-glucose levels. Both insulin and glucagon are need to provide a homeostasis.

By: Anmol Nuggehalli