VALDEZ, JOHN ANGELO M.

BSN II – OREM
PHARMACOLOGY FINALS QUIZ ASSIGNMENT 1

I. a. What is insulin? (2 points). 

Insulin is a hormone created by your pancreas that controls the amount of
glucose in your bloodstream at any given moment. It also helps store glucose in your
liver, fat, and muscles. Finally, it regulates your body’s metabolism of carbohydrates,
fats, and proteins.

   b. What produces / secretes insulin? or Where is insulin produced? (Be very
specific, explain at the cellular level). (2 points).
Insulin is the most essential hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin is
released in response to meals by 'beta cells' in the islets of Langerhans. Its function is
to reduce blood glucose levels and enhance glucose storage in fat, muscle, liver, and
other bodily tissues.
Another key hormone produced by 'Alpha cells' in the islets of Langerhans is glucagon.
This has the reverse impact of insulin in that it helps release energy from where it is
stored into the bloodstream, boosting blood sugar levels. As a result, glucagon and
insulin work together to maintain the balance of glucose in the circulation.

   c. What are the functions of insulin in our body? Cite 4 functions at least. (4
points).

Through the tyrosine kinase receptor pathway, insulin increases glucose

uptake, glycogenesis, lipogenesis, and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and
fat tissue. Furthermore, insulin is the most essential element in the control of plasma
glucose homeostasis because it inhibits glucagon and other catabolic hormones such
as adrenaline, glucocorticoid, and growth hormone.
Insulin enables cells in the muscles, fat, and liver to absorb glucose from the blood.
When needed, glucose can be turned into fat and used as energy by these cells. Insulin
also influences other metabolic processes, such as fat and protein breakdown.
d. What is insulin indicated/used for?

Human insulin is used to control blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes (a
condition in which the body does not produce insulin and thus cannot control the
amount of sugar in the blood) or type 2 diabetes (a condition in which the body does not
produce or use insulin normally and thus cannot control the amount of sugar in the
blood) who are unable to control their blood sugar with oral medications alone.

II. Enumerate the types of Insulin? Make a table or column, categorize and

characterize the different types of insulin as to ONSET of ACTION, PEAK
EFFECT/PEAK OF ACTION, DURATION OF ACTION and APPEARANCE of the
solution.  (20 POINTS)

ONSET OF ACTION PEAK OF ACTION DURATION OF ACTION

It is defined as the length
of time before insulin hits
your bloodstream and
begins to lower blood
glucose.
It is the time during which It is the length of time
insulin is at its maximum insulin continues to lower
effectiveness at lowering your blood glucose levels.
your blood glucose levels.

These are the five main types of insulin that doctors prescribe:
TYPE EXAMPLES APPEARANCE ONSET PEAK DURATON
OF OF OF
ACTION ACTION ACTION
Rapid-acting Apidra Clear 5–30 30 3–5 hours
insulins work (glulisine), minutes minutes
over a narrow, Humalog –3 hours
more predictable (lispro),
range of time. Novolog
Because they (aspart)
work quickly,
they are used
most often at the
start of a meal.
Rapid-acting
insulin acts most
like insulin that is
produced by the
human
pancreas. It
quickly drops the
blood sugar level
and works for a
short time. If a
rapid-acting
insulin is used
instead of a
short-acting
insulin at the
start of dinner, it
may prevent
severe drops in
blood sugar level
in the middle of
the night
Rapid-acting Afrezza Contained in a 10–15 30–90 2½–3 hour
insulin also (insulin cartridge minutes minutes
comes in a form human,
that can be inhaled)
inhaled through
the mouth.
Short-acting Humulin R, Clear 30 3 hours 4–12
insulins take Novolin R minutes hours (U–
effect and wear (insulin 100), Up to
off more quickly regular) 24 hours
than long-acting (U–500)
insulins. A short-
acting insulin is
often used 30
minutes before a
meal so that it
has time to work.
These liquid
insulins are clear
and do not settle
out when the
bottle (vial) sits
for a while.
Intermediate- Humulin N, Cloudy 60–90 4–12 14½ hours
acting insulins Novolin N minutes hours
contain added (insulin
substances NPH)
(buffers) that
make them work
over a long time
and that may
make them look
cloudy. When
these types of
insulin sit for
even a few
minutes, the
 buffered insulin
settles to the
bottom of the
vial.
Long-acting Lantus Clear 3–4 hours None Up to 24
insulins have (glargine), hours
no peak and last Levemir
for up to 24 (detemir)
hours.
Ultra Long- Toujeo Clear 6 hours None 24 hours
acting insulins (glargine (glargine), or more
have no peak U–300), 1 hour (glargine),
and last for 24 Tresiba (degludec 42 hours
hours or more. (degludec ) or more
U-100 and (degludec)
U–200)

III. Explain what is Insulin Resistance. (5 POINTS).

INSULIN RESISTANCE:
Insulin resistance develops when cells in your muscles, body fat, and liver begin
to resist or ignore the signal that the hormone insulin is attempting to convey, which is to
collect glucose from the bloodstream and deposit it into our cells. Glucose, often known
as blood sugar, is the body's primary fuel source. Grain, fruit, vegetables, dairy
products, and beverages that break down into carbs provide us with glucose.
When your cells do not respond appropriately to insulin's signal, there is an excess of
glucose in your circulation (high blood sugar). This can proceed to prediabetes, which
can then advance to type 2 diabetes.

REFERENCES:

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collection and panels. Insulin: Reference Range, Interpretation, Collection and Panels.
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overview#a4.

Hormone. (2021, December 2). Insulin. Insulin | Hormone Health Network. Retrieved December
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Insulin resistance: Causes, symptoms ... - endocrineweb. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2021,
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symptoms.

Types of insulin. Types of Insulin | Michigan Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2021,
from https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa122570.