Insulin regulates blood sugar

The idea

Insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps regulate blood sugar level; if it is not secreted in proper amounts, the sugar level in the blood rises.

Less sugar, please

Some people are told by the doctor to take less sugar, because they have diabetes. Some also take injections of a hormone.

Which part of the body produces the hormone that helps control the sugar in the blood?

• The pancreas
• The thyroid gland
• The adrenal glands

Insulin and sugar

Press Next step. The bar shows the blood sugar level in a simple picture.

Insulin keeps sugar in range

When insulin is not secreted in proper amounts, blood sugar rises. People with diabetes are advised to take less sugar and may take insulin as a treatment.

Insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps regulate blood sugar level. If it is not secreted in proper amounts, the sugar level in the blood rises.

Notes

Insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps regulate blood sugar level; if it is not secreted in proper amounts, the sugar level in the blood rises.

Check yourself

Which organ produces insulin?

What does insulin help to regulate?

What happens if insulin is not secreted in proper amounts?

Which treatment might a person with diabetes take?

• The pancreas — correct. Yes!
• The pituitary. The pituitary secretes growth hormone, among other hormones.
• The thyroid gland. The thyroid gland makes thyroxin.
• Blood pressure. The medulla in the hind-brain controls blood pressure.
• Blood sugar level — correct. Yes!
• Growth of the stem. Auxins and gibberellins help in the growth of the stem in plants.
• The sugar level in the blood falls to zero. The book says the sugar level in the blood rises.
• The thyroid gland swells. A swollen neck is a symptom of goitre, which comes from iodine deficiency.
• The sugar level in the blood rises — correct. Yes!
• Injections of insulin — correct. Yes!
• Injections of thyroxin. Thyroxin is made by the thyroid gland. The treatment mentioned for diabetes is insulin.
• Extra iodised salt. Iodine is needed to make thyroxin and helps prevent goitre.