University Biology: Concept Integration Question #3 - Glucose Effects

This assignment delves into the physiological effects of elevated glucose levels, primarily focusing on the implications of diabetes. The paper begins by examining the role of amylase in saliva in the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose. It then explores how microvilli in the small intestine facilitate glucose absorption into the bloodstream. The assignment further discusses the function of beta cells in the pancreas, their production of insulin and amylin, and the consequences of reduced beta-cell function. The role of the glomerulus in the kidneys in filtering blood and the excretion of glucose in urine are also examined. The paper concludes by highlighting the adverse effects of elevated glucose on various organs and body systems, emphasizing the importance of understanding diabetes and its physiological impacts. The assignment references several scientific studies to support the claims made throughout the paper.

Running head: CONCEPT INTEGRATION QUESTION #3
QUESTION 3
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1CONCEPT INTEGRATION QUESTION #3
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Food glucose and saliva.............................................................................................................2
Microvilli and blood transport...................................................................................................2
Beta cells....................................................................................................................................2
Glucose in urine and glomerulus................................................................................................2
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................3
References..................................................................................................................................4

2CONCEPT INTEGRATION QUESTION #3
Concept Integration Question #3:
Introduction
Diabetes is the cause of high blood sugar. Blood glucose level increases, the body
undergoes several changes leading to harm to the body (Eftekhari et al., 2020). This paper
discusses the impact of increased glucose.
Food glucose and saliva
Amylase enzyme is present in the saliva of an individual that helps in the
carbohydrate breakdown present in our food and hence converts the carbohydrate into
glucose.
Microvilli and blood transport
After the breakdown of carbohydrate into glucose, it reaches the small intestine of the
body. Microvilli is a small air ball-like structure present in the small intestine that helps in the
absorption of glucose into the bloodstream (Volatiana et al., 2020).
Beta cells
The glucose that is present in the bloodstream activates beta cells, which is present in
the pancreas. Beta-cell produce and secret amylin as well as insulin. It constitutes about 50 to
70 percent of the cells present in human islets (Dia et al., 2020). Beta cell function gets
reduced causing lesser secretion of insulin and hyperglycaemia. However, glucose is present
in the blood yet enough insulin is not secreted hence the glucose uptake gets limited and a
part of kidney known as glomerulus takes up the glucose from the bloodstream.

3CONCEPT INTEGRATION QUESTION #3
Glucose in urine and glomerulus
The bloodstream function of the glomerulus is to help in the filtration of blood urine
(Nespoux & Vallon, 2020). The glomerulus is an important structure that makes up the
nephron, which is the kidney’s functional unit. It helps in the filtration of glucose out of the
kidney the moment the individual urinates. The glucose of the body gets wasted and leading
to tissue and organ damage for the person suffering from it.
Conclusion
It can be concluded from the paper that elevation of glucose lays a serious effect over
the human body causing malfunctioning of various organs.

4CONCEPT INTEGRATION QUESTION #3
References
Dai, Z., Jiao, Y., Fan, Q., Qi, A., Xiao, L., & Li, J. (2020). Homocysteine, interleukin-1β, and
fasting blood glucose levels as prognostic markers for diabetes mellitus complicated
with cerebral infarction and correlated with carotid intima-media
thickness. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 19(2), 1167-1174.
Eftekhari, A., Vahed, S. Z., Kavetskyy, T., Rameshrad, M., Jafari, S., Chodari, L., ... &
Ardalan, M. (2020). Cell junction proteins: Crossing the glomerular filtration barrier
in diabetic nephropathy. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
Nespoux, J., & Vallon, V. (2020). Renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitors: an update. Current
Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension, 29(2), 190-198.
Volatiana, J. A., Sagada, G., Xu, B., Zhang, J., Ng, W. K., & Shao, Q. (2020). Effects of
butyrate glycerides supplementation in high soybean meal diet on growth
performance, intestinal morphology and antioxidative status of juvenile black sea
bream, Acanthopagrus schlegelii. Aquaculture Nutrition, 26(1), 15-25.