Slide Set for Unit
This slide set accompanies Biology, Homeostasis, and Type 2 Diabetes, written for high school biology classes. The unit uses the growth of type 2 diabetes as a phenomenon to teach core ideas about homeostasis, population traits, nutrition, how genes and the environment determine our traits, and more. It consists of 5 lessons, and formative and summative assessments.
Lesson Resources:
Questions? Contact Joan
Lesson One
Entrance Activity:
What do you know about type 2 diabetes?
Think about….
What is type 2 diabetes?
What causes it?
What happens to the body?
Who gets it?
Are there treatments available?
What social factors may contribute?
Biology, Homeostasis, and Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes: A Growing Concern
Color | Percentage |
white | No data |
cream | <4.5 |
yellow | 4.5-5.9 |
gold | 6.0-7.4 |
orange | 7.5-8.9 |
red | > 9.0 |
The following slides show the percentage of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes in the US between 1994 and 2015. This table shows the color key for percentages in the next sides.
Biology, Homeostasis, and Type 2 Diabetes
1994
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
1995
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
1996
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
1997
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
1998
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
1999
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2000
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2001
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2002
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2003
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2004
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2005
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2006
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2007
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2008
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2009
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2010
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
Major changes to the survey method in 2011
more detail at http://www.cdc.gov/surveillancepractice/reports/brfss/brfss.html
2011
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2012
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2013
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2014
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
2015
Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
<4.5%
Missing data
4.5%–5.9%
6.0%–7.4%
7.5%–8.9%
≥9.0%
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
Types of Diabetes
Incidence and Prevention
Type | Prevalence | Possible Prevention |
Type 1 Diabetes | 5% | none |
Type 2 Diabetes | 90-95% | for many, lifestyle changes |
Gestational Diabetes | <1-2% | for some, lifestyle changes |
other | 1-5% | none |
Data from the CDC
Age-adjusted Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among US Adults
CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. United States Surveillance System available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data
1994
2000
No Data <4.5% 4.5%–5.9% 6.0%–7.4% 7.5%–8.9% >9.0%
2015
https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/diabetes/diabetesatlas-surveillance.html
Part A: Click ALL STATES next to red arrow to show a map of the � US. Explore the tabs circled in black.
Part B: Click COUNTY and then choose Your State – All Counties.
Lesson One
What are the characteristics of type 2 diabetes?
Biology, Homeostasis, and Type 2 Diabetes
Lesson One
Type 2 Diabetes:
A Complex Disease
Biological Concepts
Individual Choices
Social
Factors
Treatments and Solutions
What is glucose?
How does the body balance glucose?
Nature vs. Nurture
How can we stop
the growth?
What should
our priorities be?
How does my diet matter?
Does
exercise
matter?
Is it determined by genes,
the environment, or both?
How are
resources distributed?
How do we market foods and drinks?
Asking Questions
Lesson Two
Entrance Activity:
What is glucose? Where does glucose come from in our diets?
Think about….
What foods/drinks contain glucose?
Where do other sugars come from?
What is glucose used for in the body?
Glucose can be described as both a fuel and a toxin. How can something so good also be so bad?
Biology, Homeostasis, and Type 2 Diabetes
Lesson Two
Where is glucose in food? Part I
Lesson Two
Glucose
Monosaccharide
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
Including glucose, which is the primary energy molecule for the body.
Starch such as potatoes, wheat, corn, rice, cassava, sorghum
Fiber, such as indigestible cellulose
Table sugar, milk sugar
Paper model of Glucose
Pasta model of Glucose
=
1
2
3
6
5
4
1
2
3
4
6
5
C6H12O6
For the model we will be using next, glucose is represented by a pasta wheel.
Type 2 diabetes develops when blood glucose levels are too high for too long. The body is not maintaining blood glucose within a healthy range.
What does glucose have to do with type 2 diabetes?
LOW Blood Glucose
Balanced Blood Glucose
HIGH Blood Glucose
Homeostasis:
Maintaining balance by regulating internal conditions
A balancing act happens many times a day—every time you have a meal or consume a drink with sugar. The ability of the body to maintain balance and regulate internal conditions is called homeostasis.
Homeostasis allows organisms to maintain balance (stability) even as the external environment changes.
You may have high blood glucose levels after eating a large meal, or low blood glucose levels between meals. Your body responds to how often you eat and what you eat in order to keep blood glucose levels within a healthy range.
Feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis
Balance is maintained when different components of a system regulate each other.
A
B
How does the body balance blood glucose levels?
A feedback mechanism relying on two hormones:
Insulin
Allows glucose to leave the blood and enter some cells. Insulin is like a key that unlocks the cell membrane so that glucose can enter the cell. �Without insulin, most glucose stays in the blood.
Glucagon
Allows glucose to leave some cells and enter � the blood
Balanced Blood Glucose
3 pasta wheels represent a balanced amount of blood glucose
HIGH Blood Glucose
Feedback Mechanism
Insulin Released
HIGH Blood Glucose
Feedback Mechanism
Insulin causes glucose to leave the blood and enter cells
Insulin Released
LOW Blood Glucose
Feedback Mechanism
Glucagon Released
Balance tips….
Glucose leaves cells to enter the blood
Balanced Blood Glucose
Feedback Mechanism
Insulin and glucagon work together to regulate blood sugar.
This feedback mechanism helps to maintain homeostasis in the system.
Normal Body Temperature
Feedback mechanisms are common in biology and nature.
Here’s an example with body temperature regulation
HIGH Body Temp
Feedback Mechanism
Body sweats, blood vessels dilate
HIGH Body Temp
Feedback Mechanism
Body sweats, blood vessels dilate
Temperature goes down
LOW Body Temp
Feedback Mechanism
Shivering
Blood vessels constrict
Balance tips….
Temperature goes up
Normal Body Temperature
Feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis
Model Board
Empty Board
Glucose enters the blood
Glucose back in balance after insulin release
Model Board Pieces
Who’s who of diabetes:
Glucose! Carbohydrates are broken down during digestion to this simple sugar. Glucose is carried to every cell in our body by the blood stream, where it is used as the source of energy for our bodies.
In our model, the 6-sided glucose sugar is represented by a round pasta piece.
Glycogen! The stored form of glucose is called glycogen. Glycogen is made up of many connected units of glucose.
=
Who’s who of diabetes:
Insulin! This hormone is released into the blood when blood glucose levels are high. It enables glucose to be transported into the cell in some tissues.
In our model, insulin is represented by a piece of I-shaped pasta
Glucagon! This hormone is released into the blood when blood glucose levels are low. It enables glucose to be released from some tissues back into the blood stream.
In our model, glucagon is represented by a piece of curvy-shaped pasta
Model Board Pieces
Model Board Organs
The body organs:
Pancreas: One of the major players in glucose homeostasis, the pancreas releases the hormones, insulin and glucagon, that control blood glucose. The cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are called β (beta) cells.
Liver: This organ takes up glucose when levels are high and releases glucose when levels are low. It stores glucose in chains as glycogen. It is key for glucose regulation.
Model Board Organs
More body organs:
Muscles: Our muscles are able to take up and store lots of glucose when insulin is present. More muscles mass means more of a reservoir for glucose.
Fat cells: Fat cells take up glucose when insulin is present. Fat cells use glucose to make more fat.
Brain: The brain takes up glucose whenever it needs energy, and doesn’t require insulin. Glucose is the fuel the brain normally uses.
All of these systems work together to keep our blood glucose level balanced.
LOW Blood Glucose
Balanced Blood Glucose
HIGH Blood Glucose
Homeostasis:
Maintaining balance by regulating internal conditions
High blood glucose triggers the pancreas to release insulin.
High Blood Glucose
Pancreas releases insulin
Blood vessels carry insulin and glucose to cells
Maintaining Blood Glucose
In the presence of insulin, glucose enters the cells and leaves the blood.
Blood glucose levels fall.
High Blood Glucose
Pancreas releases insulin
Maintaining Blood Glucose
Low blood glucose triggers the pancreas to release glucagon
Low Blood Glucose
Pancreas releases glucagon
Maintaining Blood Glucose
Balance tips….
Low blood glucose triggers the pancreas to release glucagon
Low Blood Glucose
Pancreas releases glucagon
Blood vessels carry glucagon to the cells which trigger the release of stored glucose back into the blood. Blood glucose levels rise.
Maintaining Blood Glucose
Balanced Blood Glucose
Balance tips….
Glucose responses for two different foods.
Which graph best represents healthy blood glucose levels?
A
B
A graph of blood glucose levels that are well-controlled would look something like this:
Note: Glucose levels are not constant, but they vary within a range.
A graph for a person that is becoming diabetic may look like this, as blood glucose levels begin to rise:
Biology, Homeostasis, and Type 2 Diabetes
Lesson Three
Entrance Activity:
We know that a healthy body keeps blood glucose levels regulated within a range, as homeostasis “tips the balance” many times a day.
What factors can contribute to a loss of control of blood glucose?
Think about….
What is the role of the pancreas?
What is the role of diet?
What is the role of exercise?
Scenario cards for the Homeostasis Model Board can be found here.
Glucose out of balance
How is diabetes diagnosed? By measuring blood glucose levels.
Fasting glucose test: After fasting for at least 12 hours, a person’s blood is drawn and tested for glucose. A healthy person would have a fasting blood glucose level of about 80-90 mg/dL.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: After measuring fasting glucose, a person is given a glucose-rich drink. Blood is then drawn at time intervals to see how that person’s body is processing the glucose.
A third test, the A1C test, measures how much of a person’s hemoglobin is coated with sugar. Since red blood cells (which carry hemoglobin) turn over every few months, the A1C test gives an average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months.
Healthy (n=240)
Prediabetes (n=191)
Diabetes (n=100)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Time (min)
Time (min)
Blood Glucose levels (mg/dl)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Blood Insulin levels (µU/ml)
Jensen CC et al: Diabetes 51:2170-2178; 2002
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Glucose given
Fasting
Contributions to type 2 diabetes
Insulin Resistance
in cells and organs
Beta Cell Damage
less insulin produced in the pancreas
High Blood Glucose Levels
=
PREDIABETES
TYPE 2 DIABETES
Lesson Three Extension: Three mechanisms
Three ways type 2 diabetes damages cells and organs:
Cells in the kidney, eye, and nerves take up glucose in the absence of insulin
Water flows into the cell and can cause the cell to burst (think of
a water balloon).
Inside the cell, glucose is converted to a substance (sorbitol) which builds up because it cannot get out.
This is a key mechanism for nerve and retina damage
TREATMENT
Cells in the kidney, eye, and nerves take up glucose in the absence of insulin
Water flows into the cell and can cause the cell to burst (think of a water balloon).
Inside the cell, glucose is converted to a substance (sorbitol) which builds up because it cannot get out.
This is a key mechanism for nerve and retina damage
Can the enzyme that converts glucose into sorbitol be inhibited?
Still working on it…
This is a key mechanism for eye and kidney damage.
2. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)
Glucose attaches to proteins
protein
glucose
AGEs
AGEs cross-link proteins and contribute to tissue stiffness in heart, bone and muscle.
protein
protein
AGE damage can also make small blood vessels leaky
This is a key mechanism for eye and kidney damage.
2. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)
TREATMENT
Glucose attaches to proteins
protein
glucose
AGEs
AGEs cross-link proteins and contribute to tissue stiffness in heart, bone and muscle.
protein
protein
AGE damage can also make small blood vessels leaky
Drugs that inhibit the formation of AGEs have been tested, but…none have been shown to reduce kidney damage. Yet.
Large blood vessels also become leaky due to AGEs
Layers of fat and cholesterol start to accumulate along the vessel walls.
This makes the blood vessel stiff and narrows the channel. Atherosclerosis leads to high blood pressure, causing the heart to work harder.
This is a key mechanism for heart failure and stroke. It also contributes to kidney failure.
3. Atherosclerosis
3. Atherosclerosis
TREATMENT
Large blood vessels also become leaky due to AGEs
Layers of fat and cholesterol start to accumulate along the vessel walls.
This makes the blood vessel stiff and narrows the channel.
Atherosclerosis leads to high blood pressure, causing the heart to work harder.
This is a key mechanism for heart failure and stroke. It also contributes to kidney failure.
Balloon angioplasty can help to open narrow vessels
Pathways to organ damage
Chronic Elevated Blood Glucose
Nerve damage
Capillary damage
Large blood vessel damage
EYES LIMBS KIDNEYS HEART BRAIN
Pathways to organ damage
Chronic Elevated Blood Glucose
Nerve damage
Capillary damage
Large blood vessel damage
EYES LIMBS KIDNEYS HEART BRAIN
Where should money for treatment and/or prevention be spent?
Prevention and Treatment
Elevated Blood Glucose
=
PREDIABETES
TYPE 2 DIABETES
with severe complications such as organ damage
Normal Blood Glucose Levels
$$$$$
$$
Less Reversible
More Reversible
Lesson Four
Entrance Activity:
By Monica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuhhxTj5od0
What are some environmental risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Monica’s family?
To think about….
How does culture impact risk?
How does product marketing impact risk?
How have these changed over time?
Biology, Homeostasis, and Type 2 Diabetes
Student Sheet 4.1: Genetic risk factors
You could draw…
The beans in the bag represent the gene pool
of the population.
For each gene you will draw from 2 possible alleles
Color Combinations |
2 white beans |
1 of each color (2 combinations) 1W 1R or 1R 1W |
2 red beans |
or
Probability |
25% or ¼ |
50% or ½ |
25% or ¼ |
Term |
Homozygous |
Heterozygous |
Homozygous |
One of each color is neutral 0
Student Sheet 4.1: Genetic risk factors
Two white beans increase RISK + 1
Two red beans are PROTECTIVE
(decrease risk)
Possible Allele Combinations:
Egg carton represents 12 genes that contribute to type 2 diabetes
Each gene contains 2 alleles
- 1
or
What is the probability of inheriting ONLY risk alleles (white beans) for these 12 genes?
For each cup, the chance of drawing two white beans is ¼, or 25%.
To get two white beans in two cups, the probability is ¼ x ¼ = 1/16
For all 12 cups…
¼ x ¼ x ¼ x ¼ x ¼ x ¼ x ¼ x ¼ x ¼ x ¼ x ¼ x ¼ =
1 in 16,777,216 or ~0.000006% chance
Over 150 genes have been associated with type 2 diabetes.
That is a lot of different allele combinations!
These combinations lead to tremendous variation of traits in a population.
Limitations in the model: 1) Each allele associated with type 2 diabetes is present in the population at the same frequency (50:50), and alleles vary in frequency in a population. 2) Alleles are sometimes linked and don’t always sort independently of each other. 3) Environmental impacts on genes are not addressed.
Student Sheet 4.2: Environmental Risk Factors
Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors
+1
+2
For complex diseases, variations in many genes may add to risk of getting that disease.
People without t2d
People with t2d
Low-risk allele
High-risk allele
Fletcher & Houlston (2010) Nat Rev Cancer
Genetic factors:
Small variations in many genes
Fraction of people
More risk alleles for type 2 diabetes
GENETICS
GENETICS
GENETICS
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT
(Little) Likelihood of getting Type 2 Diabetes (Lots)
Person A
Person B
Person C
Jablonski K A et al. 2010; Diabetes 59:2672-2681
Copyright © 2011 American Diabetes Association, Inc.
Diabetes Prevention Program Data
Allele combinations:
Diabetes incidence rate
Lesson Five
Entrance Activity
If current trends continue, 1 in 3 U.S. adults will have diabetes by 2050.
Biology, Homeostasis, and Type 2 Diabetes
How would you distribute money and resources towards prevention and/or treatment of diabetes?
To think about….
Options
Food Labelling and Marketing
Lifestyle Changes
Medications
Soda Ban
Surgery
Is this a treatment, a prevention, or both?
Is this driven by individuals or society?
Who benefits? What is the cost? Who is harmed?
Back to the Beginning
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
I think that solutions to the growth of type 2 diabetes lie mostly with:
Individuals
Society
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Environment
Genes
I think developing type 2 diabetes is mostly due to: