102283
ILSC003
Assessment A
Why is insulin used and how does it work in the body?
In simple terms insulin is a substance produced by the body and is used to turn sugar into energy. In scientific terms it is a 51-amino-acid polypeptide hormone composed of two chains A and B connected by a disulphide bridges(Ahmad 2013). The A chain consists of 21 amino acids and the B chain has 30 amino acids. The hormone insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans found in the pancreas,a gland found in the upper part of the abdomen. The islets are surrounded by exocrine tissue, the insulin-secreting beta cells (Langerhans 1869) constitute 85 % of the cells of the islets (Strachan and Frier 2013).
Insulin is the …show more content…
There is an increased level of insulin which therefore inhibits the breakdown of protein to amino acids and triglycerides to fatty acids and glycerol (McDowell 2007).In carbohydrate metabolism, the synthesis of lipids and inhibition of their degradation is promoted.
In conclusion insulin helps in the storage of energy and the absorption of glucose into the nervous and cardiovascular system. Allowing the body and nerve cells to function properly preventing diseases such as kidney and liver failure. Without insulin the body would not function properly which could lead to thousands of deaths.
References
AHMAD, S.E., 2013. Diabetes: An Old Disease, a New Insight.Springer New York.
CRASTO,W. et al 2016. Handbook of Insulin Therapies. Springer Internation Publishing. Switzerland
DAY,J.l.,1986. The Diabetes Handbook: Insulin Dependent Diabetes. British Diabetic Association.
FOX,C. and KILVERT,A. 2008. Type 1 Diabetes. 6th edition.Class Plublishing.London
HAKIM, N.N.,2009. Artificial Organs. Springe London.
LANGERHANS.P 1869. Beitrage zur mikroscopischen anatomie der bauchspeichel druse. Inaugural-dissertation. Berlin: Gustav Lange.
MCDOWELl,J.R.S. et al 2007. Diabetes a handbook for primary healthcare team. 2nd edition. Churchill Livingstone Elesevier.