An injection of too much insulin may cause a diabetic to go...

Name: Problem 12, Chapter 49: Biology
Uploaded: 2021-07-14T18:32:17-08:00
Duration: 3 min 26 s
Channel: Norma Kimmel
Description: An injection of too much insulin may cause a diabetic to go into insulin shock, in which the person may appear drunk or may become unconscious, suffer convulsions, and even die. From what you know about the actions of insulin, explain the physiological causes of insulin shock.

An injection of too much insulin may cause a diabetic to go into insulin shock, in which the person may appear drunk or may become unconscious, suffer convulsions, and even die. From what you know about the actions of insulin, explain the physiological causes of insulin shock.

Key Concepts

Insulin Mechanism of Action

This concept involves insulin’s primary role in stimulating the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into cells, particularly muscle and fat tissues. Insulin increases the permeability of cell membranes to glucose by promoting the translocation of glucose transporters, which reduces blood glucose levels and supports cellular metabolic processes.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia refers to abnormally low blood sugar levels, a condition that results when glucose is rapidly cleared from the bloodstream. In the context of insulin shock, excessive insulin causes an overdrive in glucose uptake by tissues, leading to a shortage of available glucose, which is critical for the normal functioning, especially of the brain.

Brain Glucose Metabolism

The brain relies heavily on a continuous supply of glucose as its primary energy source. When hypoglycemia occurs due to an insulin overdose, the brain’s energy demands are not met, leading to impaired neurological function, which can manifest as confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizures.

Counterregulatory Hormone Response

This refers to the body’s natural defense mechanisms against hypoglycemia, primarily involving hormones like glucagon, epinephrine, cortisol, and growth hormone. These hormones work to increase blood glucose levels by stimulating glucose production and release from the liver, but their response may be insufficient or delayed in the event of an insulin overdose, contributing to the severity of insulin shock.

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