The Islets of Langerhans - Essay Example

The body will convert glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscle into glucose to ensure enough blood glucose is available to a healthy person when they have not had a meal for twelve hours. The pancreas releases glucagon to stimulate the breakdown of glycogen. The muscle cells convert glycogen stored in the skeletal muscle. On the other hand, several enzymes catalyse the process of converting liver glycogen into glucose. Glycogen phosphorylase plays a massive role in glycogen breakdown (Berg, Tymoczko, and Stryer 2006, p. 434). After twenty-four hours of glucose deprivation, the body generates glucose from the non-carbohydrate substrate through gluconeogenesis (Berg, Tymoczko, and Stryer 2006, p. 458). The process occurs in the liver and utilises energy.

Temperature control in people with type 1 diabetes is paramount. The high temperatures generated by cycling can have adverse effects, such as nerve damage to the person who forgets insulin injections. The body will attempt to lower the high temperatures caused by an inability to sweat exhibited by type 1 diabetic patients (Petrofsky et al. 2005, p. 3). Notably, the smooth muscles of blood vessels will dilate to increase the blood flow to the skin's surface. The increased blood flow to the surface will lead to the loss of excess body temperature.