Question Video: Describing Activities that would Decrease Blood Glucose Concentration | Nagwa Question Video: Describing Activities that would Decrease Blood Glucose Concentration | Nagwa

Question Video: Describing Activities that would Decrease Blood Glucose Concentration Biology • Third Year of Secondary School

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Which of the following will decrease a person’s blood glucose level? [A] Jogging 5 km [B] Eating a large meal [C] Drinking an isotonic sports drink [D] Snacking on bread and sweets

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Video Transcript

Which of the following will decrease a person’s blood glucose level? (A) Jogging five kilometers, (B) eating a large meal, (C) drinking an isotonic sports drink, or (D) snacking on bread and sweets.

This question asks us about blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels describe the amount of free glucose in the bloodstream, which is regulated by the pancreas. Glucose is the main source of energy for cells. It is broken down during cellular respiration. This process requires oxygen and releases carbon dioxide and water as waste products. During respiration, the energy held in the bonds of glucose is released and transferred to a molecule called ATP.

ATP is often referred to as the energy currency of cells. The energy stored in ATP can be used in reactions in the cell. Metabolically active cells which utilize more energy will therefore require more ATP. For instance, liver cells use a lot of ATP because they are highly active carrying out detoxification. Muscle cells also require a lot of energy, especially when exercising. Metabolically active cells will take in glucose from the blood for use in respiration, therefore lowering blood glucose levels.

Thankfully, the pancreas can counteract low blood glucose levels by releasing a hormone called glucagon. This stimulates the breakdown of glycogen, the storage form of glucose, releasing glucose molecules into the blood. It also stimulates the production of glucose from other molecules, for example, amino acids.

Another way to raise blood glucose levels is to ingest food high in carbohydrates. Too much glucose in the blood can also be damaging. So the pancreas secretes another hormone called insulin when blood glucose levels are too high. Insulin causes cells to take up glucose and stimulates the liver to begin building glycogen, storing excess glucose.

Now that we have reviewed how glucose levels can fluctuate based on activity and hormones, let’s have another look at our question. We are asked “Which of the following will decrease a person’s blood glucose level?” We know that blood glucose levels will decrease when the body’s cells require more energy. So the correct answer is (A), jogging five kilometers.

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