What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Normally - insulin is a hormone that reduces the amount of glucose in the blood
Diabetes - High glucose levels in the blood
Type 1 - autoimmune, starts in young people, there is not enough insulin being produced (by the pancreas) and therefore blood glucose levels increase
Type 2 - most common, in obesity/older people/black and asians/high blood pressure, insulin is being made but is not reacting properly with the insulin receptors which are in various tissues in the body, therefore glucose levels start to rise

PM
Answered by Perside M. Human Biology tutor

3140 Views

See similar Human Biology A Level tutors

Related Human Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is a Vitamin?


What is the Role of the Liver during the Metabolism of Food Products?


What is Homeostasis and what are the principles behind it?


How does the theory of evolution due to natural selection explain the extinction of other species?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning