Textbook Question
Decreased blood calcium level would result in increased:
(a) Secretion of calcitonin
(b) Secretion of PTH
(c) Elimination of calcium by the kidneys
(d) Osteoclast activity
(e) Excitability of neural membranes
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Ch. 18 The Endocrine System
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology26
- Ch. 2 The Chemical Level of Organization34
- Ch. 3 The Cellular Level of Organization30
- Ch. 4 The Tissue Level of Organization24
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System17
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Structure36
- Ch. 7 The Axial Skeleton11
- Ch. 8 The Appendicular Skeleton17
- Ch. 9 Joints13
- Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue12
- Ch. 11 The Muscular System28
- Ch. 12 Nervous Tissue18
- Ch. 13 The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal Reflexes22
- Ch. 14 The Brain and Cranial Nerves20
- Ch. 15 Sensory Pathways and the Somatic Nervous System17
- Ch. 16 The Autonomic Nervous System and Higher-Order Functions30
- Ch. 17 The Special Senses16
- Ch. 18 The Endocrine System20
- Ch. 19 Blood31
- Ch. 20 The Heart31
- Ch. 21 Blood Vessels and Circulation29
- Ch. 22 The Lymphatic System and Immunity31
- Ch. 23 The Respiratory System12
- Ch. 24 The Digestive System18
- Ch. 26 The Urinary System31
- Ch. 27 Fluids & Electrolytes32
- Ch. 28 The Reproductive System12
- Ch. 29 Development and Inheritance23
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 18, Problem 24
In Type 2 diabetes, insulin levels are frequently normal, yet the target cells are less sensitive to the effects of insulin. This suggests that the target cells:
(a) Are impermeable to insulin
(b) May lack enough insulin receptors
(c) Cannot convert insulin to an active form
(d) Have adequate internal supplies of glucose
(e) Both b and c
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the role of insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the uptake of glucose by target cells, primarily muscle and fat cells, by binding to insulin receptors on their surface.
Step 2: Recognize that in Type 2 diabetes, insulin levels can be normal or even elevated, but the cells do not respond properly to insulin. This condition is known as insulin resistance.
Step 3: Analyze the options given: (a) impermeability to insulin is unlikely because insulin acts by binding to receptors, not by entering the cell; (b) lacking enough insulin receptors would reduce the cell's ability to respond to insulin; (c) inability to convert insulin to an active form is not typical because insulin acts extracellularly by receptor binding; (d) having adequate internal glucose supplies does not explain reduced sensitivity to insulin.
Step 4: Since insulin resistance often involves a reduced number or function of insulin receptors, option (b) is plausible. Option (c) is less likely because insulin does not need to be converted inside the cell to be active.
Step 5: Conclude that the best explanation is that target cells may lack enough insulin receptors, making option (b) the most accurate choice.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance occurs when target cells, such as muscle or fat cells, respond poorly to insulin despite normal or high insulin levels. This reduces glucose uptake, leading to elevated blood sugar. It is a hallmark of Type 2 diabetes and involves impaired insulin signaling pathways.
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Insulin Receptors and Their Role
Insulin receptors are proteins on the surface of target cells that bind insulin and trigger glucose uptake. A reduced number or malfunction of these receptors can decrease cell sensitivity to insulin, contributing to insulin resistance seen in Type 2 diabetes.
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Mechanism of Insulin Action
Insulin acts by binding to its receptor, initiating a cascade that allows glucose transporters to move to the cell membrane and facilitate glucose entry. Insulin itself is active and does not require conversion inside the cell, so inability to convert insulin is not a typical cause of insulin resistance.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Pamela and her teammates are considering taking anabolic steroids (synthetic hormones derived from testosterone) to enhance their competitive skills. What natural effects of testosterone are they hoping to gain? What additional side effects might these women expect should they begin an anabolic steroid regime?
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Textbook Question
A researcher observes that stimulation by a particular hormone induces a marked increase in the activity of G proteins in the target plasma membrane. The hormone being studied is probably:
(a) A steroid
(b) A peptide
(c) Testosterone
(d) Estrogen
(e) Aldosterone
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Textbook Question
Julie is pregnant but is not receiving prenatal care. She has a poor diet consisting mostly of fast food. She drinks no milk, preferring colas instead. How would this situation affect Julie's parathyroid hormone level?
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Textbook Question
How would blocking the activity of phosphodiesterase (PDE) affect a cell that responds to hormonal stimulation by the cAMP second messenger system?
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Textbook Question
Roger has been extremely thirsty. He drinks numerous glasses of water every day and urinates a great deal. Name two disorders that could produce these signs and symptoms. What test could a clinician perform to determine which disorder Roger has?
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