Year 10 - Science
Insulin, glucagon and the control of blood sugar level
Coordination and control: hormones and the human endocrine system
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores hormonal control by the endocrine system, including blood sugar regulation by insulin and glucagon, and the roles of thyroxine and adrenaline. It covers the importance of maintaining a stable internal environment and compares types 1 and 2 diabetes and their treatments.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the role of the hormones insulin and glucagon in controlling blood sugar level.
Key Notes
- If conditions in the body change too much, this can be dangerous to our health.
- Glucose travels in the blood and is delivered to cells for respiration.
- The hormones insulin and glucagon help to keep human blood sugar level constant.
- The pancreas secretes insulin when blood sugar level is too high; the liver absorbs glucose and coverts it to glycogen.
- The pancreas secretes glucagon when blood sugar level is too low; the liver converts glycogen into glucose in the blood.
Vocabulary To Learn
- respiration: a chemical reaction in livings organisms that releases energy from glucose
- glucose: is a sugar that travels in the blood and is supplied to cells for respiration
- glycogen: is a stored form of glucose found in liver and muscle cells
- insulin: a hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose is too high, lowering blood glucose levels
- glucagon: a hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose is too low, increasing blood glucose levels
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Not linking the idea that glucose concentration is important for cellular respiration, even during times of rest.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
If conditions in the body change too much, this can be dangerous to our health. Glucose travels in the blood and is delivered to cells for respiration.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'respiration'
a chemical reaction in livings organisms that releases energy from glucose. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Not linking the idea that glucose concentration is important for cellular respiration, even during times of rest. Correction: There are a selection of slides in LC1 that specifically link glucose and respiration and discuss the idea of respiration occurring during rest.
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