Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease affecting the bodies ability to produce insulin. Describe how blood glucose is controlled in the body to a stable level, and how this would be affected in someone with type 1 diabetes.

Blood glucose is controlled via a negative feedback mechanism. High blood glucose is detected by B-cells of the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, and in response to this, these cells secrete insulin. Insulin binds to specific receptors in liver cells, which stimulate the conversion of glucose to glycogen (glycogenesis). This is then stored as fat, and acts to reduce blood sugar concentration. When blood sugar falls too low, a-cells in the islets of langerhans are stimulated to release glucagon. This travel to the liver, where they stimulate the break down of glycogen to glucose (glycogenolysis) and the conversion of fatty acids and glycerol to glucose (Gluconeogenesis). This raises blood glucose levels. The fluctuation of these two opposing processes maintains a normal glucose level.In type 1 diabetes, b-cells in the islets of langerhans don't produce any/enough insulin to regulate blood glucose, meaning blood glucose would remain higher until it is absorbed by cells in the body for its use as a source of ATP.