IGCSE Biology glossary
Type 1 diabetes
Biology editorial review is supported by the named review panel. Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.
Definition
A condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin because the insulin-producing beta cells have been destroyed by the immune system. Without insulin, blood glucose levels remain dangerously high after eating. It is managed by regular insulin injections and monitoring blood glucose levels.
What to include in an exam answer
Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin injections because the body cannot produce its own. Distinguish from Type 2, which is managed by diet and exercise because the body still produces some insulin but cells do not respond to it properly.
Example in context
Explain why a person with Type 1 diabetes must inject insulin (2 marks): Their pancreas does not produce insulin. Without insulin injections, their liver and muscle cells cannot take up glucose from the blood after eating, so blood glucose levels remain dangerously high.
Related syllabus topic
Coordination & responseRelated terms
- Homeostasis
- Negative feedback
- Tropism
- Reflex arc
- ADH
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Adrenaline
- Synapse
- Neurone
- Sensory neurone
- Motor neurone
- Relay neurone
- Receptor
- Effector
- Cornea
- Iris
- Lens
- Retina
- Optic nerve
- Accommodation
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hormones
- Endocrine gland
- Auxin
- Thermoregulation
- Vasoconstriction
- Vasodilation
- Sweating