1.6.27

Glucose and Diabetes

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Glucose

Glucose is a sugar molecule. It is a simple carbohydrate and is classed as a monosaccharide.

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Formula

  • Glucose has the formula C₆H₁₂O₆.
  • This means glucose contains:
    • 6 carbon atoms
    • 12 hydrogen atoms
    • 6 oxygen atoms
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Glucose in the body

  • Glucose is a monosaccharide carbohydrate.
    • Monosaccharides cannot be broken down into simpler sugars.
  • Glucose is needed for energy in the body.
    • Once in the blood, glucose is referred to as blood sugar.
    • A hormone called insulin transports the glucose from the blood into the cells.
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Chemical reactions

  • Glucose is used in a chemical reaction called respiration.
    • Both plants and animals respire.
  • In respiration, animals turn oxygen and glucose into carbon dioxide and water.
  • Plants use photosynthesis to create their energy.
    • During photosynthesis, plants turn carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a health condition associated with high blood sugar levels.

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Diabetes

  • Diabetes is when the body cannot control its blood sugar levels.
  • The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin.
    • Insulin stores the glucose in the cells and regulates blood sugar.
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Treating diabetes

  • Diabetes is treated by injecting insulin at various times over the day to control blood sugar levels.
    • High blood sugar is also called hyperglycemia.
    • Low blood sugar is also called hypoglycemia.
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Effects of diabetes

  • People with high blood sugar levels may:
    • Feel thirsty
    • Need to urinate frequently
    • Feel weak and tired
    • Have blurred vision
    • Experience unwanted weight loss
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Type 1 diabetes

  • Type 1 diabetes is when insulin produced in the body is destroyed by the body's own immune system.
  • Type 1 diabetes is a condition that people are born with.
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Type 2 diabetes

  • Type 2 diabetes is when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or does not react to insulin.
    • Type 2 diabetes is linked to poor diet and obesity.
  • Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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