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Lesson 6 of 13

Sugar and feedback

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8 min

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After a sweet laddu, blood sugar goes up. A few hours later it is normal again.

Blood sugar rises after a meal.
Step 1 of 4
  1. Blood sugar rises after a meal.
  2. The pancreas makes more insulin.
  3. Insulin brings blood sugar down.
  4. The pancreas makes less insulin.

Pick three events. Watch insulin follow blood sugar.

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Blood sugar is the sugar the blood carries to the cells. The cells use it for energy. Its level must stay near normal.

Insulin is a hormone from the pancreas. It lowers blood sugar. Too little insulin can cause diabetes. Then blood sugar stays too high.

The body keeps the level steady by feedback. The effect of a hormone changes how much of it is made. When blood sugar rises, the pancreas makes more insulin. The sugar falls. Then the pancreas makes less insulin.

The rule

Feedback keeps blood sugar steady. When blood sugar rises, the pancreas makes more insulin. When the sugar falls, it makes less.

For example, after a laddu the pancreas makes more insulin. Some hours later the sugar is normal. The pancreas makes little insulin again.

Try the lab to finish this lesson.