Type 1 Diabetes
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 5.3.8
Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cells in the body either produce little or no insulin.
Timeline
- Type 1 diabetes develops during childhood.
- We do not know what causes Type 1 diabetes, but we think that the body's immune system attacks the pancreas cells.
Treatment
- The main treatment is to inject insulin when blood glucose levels rise too high.
- Sufferers can also manage their diet and exercise regularly to keep blood glucose levels as steady as possible.
Test yourself on Type 1 Diabetes
Why do people with type 1 diabetes inject insulin when their blood glucose level rises too high?
What effect does the immune system attacking the pancreas have on insulin production in type 1 diabetes?
What is likely to happen to someone with type 1 diabetes if they do not inject insulin when their blood glucose level rises too high?
What does the fact that insulin is only injected when blood glucose levels rise too high suggest about managing type 1 diabetes?
What might happen to blood glucose levels in someone with type 1 diabetes who injects insulin but does not manage their diet or exercise regularly?