Question

Destruction of all beta cells in the pancreas would cause A. glucagon secretion to stop and a decrease in blood glucose. B. glucagon secretion to stop and an increase in blood glucose. C. insulin secretion to stop and an increase in blood glucose. D. insulin secretion to stop and a decrease in blood glucose.

Short answer

C. insulin secretion to stop and an increase in blood glucose.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Function of Beta Cells

Beta cells in the pancreas are responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that helps lower blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells.

Identify the Result of Beta Cell Destruction

If all beta cells are destroyed, insulin production stops. Without insulin, cells cannot effectively take up glucose from the blood, leading to an increase in blood glucose levels.

Evaluate the Options

Review the provided options in light of the understanding that insulin secretion stops and blood glucose levels increase. Investigate each option to see which correctly reflects these outcomes.

Select the Correct Option

Given that the destruction of beta cells results in cessation of insulin secretion and an increase in blood glucose, the correct option is C.

Key concepts

Insulin Production

Insulin is a crucial hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas. These cells are located in clusters known as the Islets of Langerhans. When you eat a meal, your blood glucose levels rise. Beta cells respond to this increase by secreting insulin.
Insulin allows glucose to enter cells, where it can be used as energy or stored for later. This process helps maintain stable blood glucose levels, preventing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Without insulin, your body struggles to manage glucose properly.
For instance, in Type 1 Diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys beta cells, leading to insufficient insulin production.
This makes managing blood glucose levels extremely challenging.

Blood Glucose Regulation

Blood glucose regulation is essential for overall health. This process relies heavily on hormones produced by the pancreas, primarily insulin and glucagon. Here's how it works:

• When blood glucose levels rise after eating, beta cells release insulin. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, thus lowering blood glucose levels.
• Conversely, if blood glucose levels drop too low, alpha cells in the pancreas release glucagon. This prompts the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, raising blood sugar levels.

These mechanisms form a feedback loop that keeps blood sugar levels within a healthy range. A failure in this system can lead to severe health problems, including diabetes and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Beta Cell Destruction

Beta cell destruction has dire consequences for the body. When beta cells are destroyed, insulin production stops. This condition can result from autoimmune diseases like Type 1 Diabetes.
In the absence of insulin, glucose cannot enter cells efficiently and accumulates in the bloodstream. Consequently, blood glucose levels increase, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
The lack of insulin also means that the body's cells are starved of glucose, leading to fatigue and other symptoms.
Managing the effects of beta cell destruction typically involves insulin therapy and careful monitoring of blood glucose levels to ensure they remain within a safe range.