If conditions in the body change too much this can be dangerous to our health (e.g. enzymes).
Homeostasis is the regulation of internal conditions for optimum enzyme activity.
Glucose travels in the blood plasma and is delivered to cells for aerobic respiration.
The hormone insulin helps to keep human blood sugar level constant.
The pancreas secretes insulin when blood sugar level is too high; it causes liver cells to convert glucose to glycogen.

Keywords

Homeostasis - homeostasis is the regulation of the internal conditions to maintain optimum conditions for enzyme action and all cell functions
Respiration - a chemical reaction in living organisms that releases energy from glucose
Insulin - a hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose is too high, lowering blood glucose levels
Glucose - a sugar that travels in the blood and is supplied to cells for respiration
Glycogen - a stored form of glucose found in liver and muscle cells

Common misconception

Not linking the idea that glucose concentration is important for cellular respiration, even during times of rest.

There are a selection of slides in LC2 that specifically link glucose and respiration and discuss the idea of respiration occurring during rest.

You can role play the sequence of events that occur after the pancreas detects elevated insulin levels. You can model this using diagrams and paper cut outs or your could role play it in person with different stations being the pancreas and liver and students being insulin, glucose and glycogen.

Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Worksheet

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What is the name of the sugar that is a reactant for respiration?

glycogen

Correct answer: glucose

oxygen

water

Q2.

Which of the following is a biological catalyst?

starch

catalyser

Correct answer: enzyme

hormone

Q3.

Which gland in the endocrine system is circled in this image?

adrenal glands

thyroid gland

ovaries

Correct answer: pancreas

Q4.

Match the activity to the effect it has on blood glucose concentration.

Correct Answer:eating,increases blood glucose concentration

increases blood glucose concentration

Correct Answer:exercising,decreases blood glucose concentration

decreases blood glucose concentration

Q5.

How do hormones travel around the body?

in the red blood cells

along neurones

Correct answer: in the blood plasma

Q6.

In which sub-cellular structure does aerobic respiration take place?

nucleus

Correct answer: mitochondria

ribosomes

chloroplasts

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Which organ in the body detects changes in blood glucose concentration?

liver

small intestines

Correct answer: pancreas

stomach

Q2.

Which process regulates the internal conditions in the body for optimum enzyme activity?

respiration

digestion

Correct answer: homeostasis

body regulation

Q3.

What is the name of the hormone that the pancreas secretes if blood glucose levels are too high?

Correct Answer: insulin

Q4.

Put these steps in order to show what happens after eating a meal.

1 - Eating causes an increase in blood glucose concentration.

2 - The pancreas detects the increase in blood glucose concentration.

3 - The pancreas secretes insulin into the blood.

4 - Insulin targets the liver and muscle cells.

5 - Blood glucose levels decrease back to normal.

Q5.

What do liver and muscle cells store glucose as?

glucagon

insulin

starch

Correct answer: glycogen

Q6.

Which statements are correct?

Insulin causes glycogen to be converted into glucose.

Correct answer: Exercising and fasting decreases blood glucose concentration.

Correct answer: If respiration rate increases then blood glucose concentration decreases.

Storing blood glucose as glycogen will increase blood glucose levels.