IGCSE Biology glossary
Type 2 diabetes
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Definition
A condition in which the body's cells become resistant to insulin, or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, so blood glucose levels are not properly regulated. It is often linked to obesity, a high-sugar diet and lack of exercise, and is managed primarily through diet control and exercise.
What to include in an exam answer
Type 2 diabetes is linked to lifestyle factors (obesity, diet, inactivity). Cells become resistant to insulin, not that the body stops producing it entirely. Treatment is diet and exercise, sometimes medication, but not usually insulin injections initially.
Example in context
Suggest why the number of people with Type 2 diabetes is increasing globally (2 marks): More people are eating high-sugar, high-fat diets and leading sedentary lifestyles, leading to obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes because body cells become less responsive to insulin.
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 1 diabetes
- Hormones
- Endocrine gland
- Auxin
- Thermoregulation
- Vasoconstriction
- Vasodilation
- Sweating