I am taking anatomy and philosophy. I have to write an essay question on the process hyperglycemia.

Charlene28 said:

My understanding so far ...
The pancreas releases beta cells and they release the hormone insulin. The insulin forces glucose Into the cells. This process is sped up by AFD(accelerate facilitate diffusion).

This is where all the terminology I have to use gets confusing. From there can someone help me using the following terms and explain the terms and what is happening: protein synthesis, glycogenesis, dehydration synthesis, and lipogenesis. Thanks so much.

Furthermore, I am really interested in the topic my mom died at 56 and had type I , my dad struggles with type 2, and my boyfriend has type I.


Sent from my iPhone using DCUK Forum

Click to expand...

I am nowhere near an expert on this, but I will try to assist. My understanding is that
protein synthesis: is the process that our bodies use to create protein, using amino acids to create proteins inside the cells

glycogenesis: This is the conversion of glucose in the blood (called glucogen) into glycogen which is the form that the body stores energy. This process happens in the cells as opposed to the bloodstream and occurs when glucogen has passed into the cell under the control of insulin, and where the energy is not required immediately by the cell, so the glycogen gets stored instead. This process is part of what is called the Krebs or Citric Cycle

Lipogenesis: This is the process by which fatty acids or triglycerides are formed from glucose or protein. It is a more efficient storage medium than glygogen. The triglicerides get packaged up into packets of cholesterol to transport the water insoluble fats to the cells through the bloodstream. this is part of the endocrine system.

Dehydration synthesis: No idea.

All these processes occur at the cellular level

Hi Charlene

Its a long time since I studied biochemistry, but I think that dehydration synthesis is a type of polymer formation reaction in which two subunits join together and water is released - hence the dehydration in the name.

In the reaction, one of the components loses a hydroxyl group (-OH) and the other loses a hydrogen ion (H). These then combine to form the water molecule, and a bond is formed between the vacant sites where they were released so that the polymer grows.

I think there is a typo in your post - the pancreas does have beta cells, but they are not released from the pancreas - they stay there.

Regards, Jon

Oldvatr said:

I am nowhere near an expert on this, but I will try to assist. My understanding is that

Dehydration synthesis: No idea.

All these processes occur at the cellular level

Click to expand...

Dehydration Synthesis is the elimintion of water to create a compound from its precursors ( i.e. production of a disaccaride + water from 2 monosaccharides) see http://study.com/academy/lesson/dehydration-synthesis-definition-reaction-examples.html

Carbohydrates in food are broken down by digestion to form glucose. This is absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream, causing blood glucose levels to rise.

The pancreas contains several types of cell. One type, the beta cells, is stimulated by this rise in blood glucose to produce the hormone insulin which is released into the blood and travels around the body. Insulin binds to insulin receptors on the surface of cells and this causes glucose to be transported into the cell. (Glucose is unable to enter the cell by simple diffusion.)

In muscle and liver cells, the insulin promotes formation of glycogen. This happens by glucose molecules joining together in a chain to form a new molecule of glycogen (hence this is a synthesis reaction). As each molecule of glucose is added to the chain, a molecule of water is eliminated (hence this is also a dehydration reaction).

In fat cells, insulin promotes the synthesis of fatty acids (lipogenesis) and their storage as triglycerides. It also inhibits fat breakdown (lipolysis) which reduces the levels of fatty acids in the blood.

In muscle cells, insulin promotes the entry of amino-acids into cells by active transport and stimulates their conversion into protein (protein synthesis). It also inhibits protein breakdown.

In contrast, if blood glucose levels fall, the alpha cells of the pancreas are stimulated to release another hormone into the blood, glucagon. Glucagon promotes the breakdown of glycogen into its constituent glucose molecules and these are released into the blood, thereby raising blood glucose levels.

Normally, the glucose levels in the blood are well controlled by the opposing actions of insulin and glucagon. However, in diabetes mellitus there is insufficient insulin secretion and the glucose absorbed from the diet into the blood cannot enter the cells resulting in high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia).

Dear Charlene28,
I think that you are a little confused by what the pancreas is and what it does.You will need to check up on this as it's from my memory so these days getting absent minded, I might be wrong in some instances.
Firstly the Pancreas is a dual function body organ, releasing digestive juices into the intestinal gut to help neutralise any excess acid within the intestine as well as helping break down certain types of fats within the intestinal tract. It also has a secondary function and contains various cell that are grouped into Alpha cells,Beta cells, C cells, D cells and several others types as well, all of which release a specific hormone,.
The Pancrease doesn't release cells, instead these various type of cells within the pancrease release various hormones (chemical signals) that principally control other body cells or organs to stimulate the take up or release of stored glucose back into the individual's bloodstream so as to ensure that the individual has an adequate supply of glucose (converted into energy by the body's billions of other cells) and maintain a safe level.
In a Type 1 the Beta cells with the pancreas are frequently attacked by the body's own immune system and are either destroyed or damaged, these cells being resopnsibe for releasing the hormone Insulin' which the body uses to take glucose from the bloodstrean through the wall of the cell so as to give the cell a source of energy. Without this hormone, glucose levels will rise to a dangerous level and to correct this Insulin needs to be injected into the bloodstream to compensate for what is missing and balance against what the individual ate.
The Alpha cells within the pancreas signal to the liver using a hormone that results in the liver dumping out some or part of its reserve back into the bloodstream in the form of a Glucose Dump or Boot if the basic Glucose level should fall TOO low.
Many other things can als infulence overall Blood/Glucose levels from neurological problem to thyroid or other hormonal imbalances. It's a complex subject but what I posted, I hope explains things a little clearer.
Please ask if you have any further questions and we'll all try our best at answering them.
Sorry it's such a lengthy reply
Good luck in your Studies - Lazybones

Some interesting points above; but shouldn't you be reading your course books rather than relying on the kindness of strangers on a diabetes management forum? You know; do your own work and that kind of thing?

You took the words right out of my mouth Al.

Personally, I wonder what philosophy has to do with it.