Question

2. How does insulin deficiency lead to metabolic acidosis? Under normal circumstances what are the factors that act upon the B-cells to alter the rate of insulin release?

Answer 1

insulin deficiency leads to the elevation of the blood glucose level. The ELevated level of glucose results in diversion of Acetyl Co-A formed from glucose to ketogenic pathway resulting in formation of ketone bodies instead of getting utilized by the cell to produce ATP. These ketone bodies includes acetone, acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid. These acid increase the acidic nature of the blood and leads to metabolic acidosis.

Factors altering the rate of insulin release :

- Blood glucose level

- negative feedback of insulin level in blood