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Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition
Chapter 40, Problem 8

Explain why insulin injections are more effective in controlling the blood glucose level in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus than in those with type 2 diabetes.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of insulin: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose enter cells from the bloodstream, thus lowering blood glucose levels.
Recognize the difference in diabetes types: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the body's inability to produce insulin due to the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Identify the cause of type 2 diabetes: In type 2 diabetes, the body still produces insulin, but cells have become resistant to its effects, a condition known as insulin resistance.
Explain the effectiveness in type 1 diabetes: Since individuals with type 1 diabetes produce little to no insulin, insulin injections directly replace the missing hormone, effectively lowering blood glucose levels.
Discuss the limited effectiveness in type 2 diabetes: Insulin injections in type 2 diabetes can help manage blood glucose levels, but they do not address the underlying issue of insulin resistance, making them less effective compared to their impact on type 1 diabetes.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, individuals with type 1 diabetes produce little to no insulin, necessitating external insulin injections to regulate blood glucose levels effectively.
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Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, and often accompanied by a relative insulin deficiency. Individuals with type 2 diabetes may still produce insulin, but their bodies cannot utilize it properly, making insulin injections less effective compared to those in type 1 diabetes.
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Insulin Therapy

Insulin therapy involves administering insulin to manage blood glucose levels, particularly in diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, insulin injections are crucial for survival and effectively control blood glucose levels. In contrast, in type 2 diabetes, insulin may be used when other medications fail, but the underlying insulin resistance can limit its effectiveness.
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