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Homeostasis & the Control of Blood Glucose Levels

Glucose is a key molecule in the metabolic process. The cells must only receive a certain amount, so regulating the level of glucose transported by the blood is an important homeostatic element in the human body.

  1. Blood Sugar Range

    • Under normal conditions, blood sugar level is kept within a narrow range of 70 to 110 mg/dl (milligram per deciliter, which is one tenth of a liter).

    Blood Sugar Tolerance

    • Anything below 70 is hypoglycemic. Blood sugar levels can rise above 110 after meals, but anything above 180 is hyperglycemic.

    Hormones

    • Hormones of insulin and glucagon are secreted by the pancreas in response to fluctuating blood sugar levels.

    Insulin

    • If blood sugar levels rise too high, then insulin is released from beta cells within the pancreas. Insulin causes nearby cells in liver, muscle and fat tissue to take in the extra glucose before they can do any damage.

    Glucagon

    • If blood sugar levels get too low, then glucagon is released from alpha cells within the pancreas. Glucagon induces cells in such tissue as liver and muscles to release stored glucose into the blood stream.

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