Biology 12

124 MHR • Unit 2 Homeostasis

levels, which vary slightly from person to person.

Variation is an important aspect of all species, and

it is likely that some people are more prone to

diabetes than others.

You have just learned about a disease, diabetes,

that occurs when the body’s immune system

attacks itself. In the next section, you will learn

how the immune system protects the body from

foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses.

There are many topics that are associated with homeostasis

that would be a good choice for your Course Challenge. For

example, this chapter has dealt with the impact of drugs,

organ transplantation, and cancer on homeostasis. Once

you choose your topic, begin gathering material as you also

look for connections between new course material and

your choice of topic.

COURSE CHALLENGE

SECTION REVIEW

1. Explain how the pancreas is an organ that
   seems to have two different functions.


2. Draw a negative feedback loop that illustrates
   how the beta cells regulate glucose blood sugar
   levels.


3. Investigate how people with diabetes monitor
   their blood sugar levels daily to manage their
   schedule of insulin injections.


4. Describe the major difference between Type 1
   and Type 2 diabetes. List some of the risks involved
   with both types.


5. What advice would you give athletic students
   with diabetes to help them avoid episodes of
   hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when engaged in
   strenuous athletic activity?


6. Diabetes is especially difficult for children. Devise
   a one-week diet plan for young children with diabetes
   that will allow them to occasionally enjoy some of
   their favourite foods while still maintaining a properly
   balanced blood sugar level.


7. Banting and Best’s original experiments did not
   produce usable insulin. Interpreting what you already
   know about the functions of the pancreas from
   previous studies or independent research, determine
   what might have complicated their first efforts.
   Explain the procedure you would follow and the
   materials you would use to overcome this
   complication.
   8. The early source for insulin was the pancreases
   of farm animals such as pigs and cows. More
   recently, people with diabetes have the choice of
   using actual “human insulin” instead. Investigate how
   human insulin is produced and describe the
   advantages of this type of insulin for treating people
   with diabetes. Find out how genetic engineering may
   further improve the types of insulin used to treat
   people with diabetes.
   9. Having blood glucose levels tested for diabetes
   starts by fasting for a certain number of hours. Next,
   you drink a sweet drink. After waiting a specified
   time, blood is removed and tested.
   (a)What is the purpose of fasting before you start?
   (b)Does it matter how much of the drink you
   consume? Explain.
   (c)Does it matter how long you wait before blood is
   removed? Explain.
   (d)What results would you expect for a diabetic
   response?
   (e)What results would you expect for a normal
   response?

Diabetes is becoming an epidemic, and researchers

predict that the future incidence of this disease will

put a burden on health systems around the world.

Start preparing for the project at the end of this unit

by writing down the projected number of diabetics

worldwide for the year 2025. Gather information on

treatments, both accepted and experimental, for diabetes.

UNIT PROJECT PREP

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