Insulin

Definition

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells. It plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and storage.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Recombinant DNA technology has enabled the production of synthetic insulin using genetically engineered microbes.
2. Insulin resistance is a key feature in the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, an autoimmune disorder.
3. Understanding insulin gene expression and regulation has been pivotal in developing treatments for diabetes.
4. Whole genome sequencing and CRISPR-Cas9 are modern tools used to study insulin gene mutations.
5. Insulin therapy can be life-saving for patients with autoimmune diseases like Type 1 diabetes, where the immune system attacks pancreatic beta cells.

Review Questions

• How has recombinant DNA technology contributed to the production of synthetic insulin?
• What role does insulin play in autoimmune disorders such as Type 1 diabetes?
• What modern genetic engineering tools are used to study insulin gene mutations?

Related terms

Recombinant DNA Technology: Techniques used to join together DNA from different sources to produce synthetic biological products.

CRISPR-Cas9:

A genome editing tool that allows for precise modifications to DNA sequences.

Type 1 Diabetes:

An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.