Biology Year 12 - Module 8 - Lesson 3
Glucose Regulation — Insulin, Glucagon and the Pancreatic Feedback System
1. Key Ideas
Every cell in your body runs on glucose. Too much and blood vessels corrode. Too little and neurons die within minutes. The pancreas runs a continuous two-hormone balancing act to keep blood glucose within a 4–6 mmol/L window — and when that system fails, it produces the most common chronic disease in Australia.
- The role of alpha cells (glucagon) and beta cells (insulin) in the islets of Langerhans
- Why the pancreas must run two opposing hormones simultaneously to maintain fine control
2. Success Criteria
By the end, you should be able to:
- The role of alpha cells (glucagon) and beta cells (insulin) in the islets of Langerhans
- The complete pathway for responding to high blood glucose (insulin pathway)
- The complete pathway for responding to low blood glucose (glucagon pathway)
3. Key Terms
4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map
Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.
| Prompt | Your answer |
|---|---|
| Main concept | |
| Important example | |
| Common mistake to avoid | |
| How this links to the next lesson |
5. Short Answer Questions
1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "The role of alpha cells (glucagon) and beta cells (insulin) in the islets of Langerhans". Use one specific example from the lesson.
2. Apply this idea to a new example: "The complete pathway for responding to high blood glucose (insulin pathway)". Show your reasoning clearly.
3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding Glucose Regulation — Insulin, Glucagon and the Pancreatic Feedback System: "The complete pathway for responding to low blood glucose (glucagon pathway)".
6. Extend: Apply the Idea
A student gives a memorised answer about Glucose Regulation — Insulin, Glucagon and the Pancreatic Feedback System but does not use evidence or reasoning.
Improve the answer by writing a stronger response that uses accurate terminology, a relevant example and a clear explanation.
7. Multiple Choice
1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Glucose Regulation — Insulin, Glucagon and the Pancreatic Feedback System?
A. Identify the key concept being tested
B. Write every fact from memory
C. Ignore the command word
D. Skip examples and evidence
2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Glucose Regulation — Insulin, Glucagon and the Pancreatic Feedback System?
A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning
B. A copied definition only
C. A single-word response
D. An answer with no example
3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?
A. Link the idea to a reason or cause
B. List unrelated facts
C. Only draw a diagram
D. Write the shortest possible answer
8. Success Criteria Proof
Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.