The Blood Sugar Game

The blood glucose level is shown here.

The effect of the blood glucose level is shown in this box.

Use these buttons to start the model or to reset the levels.

Change the activities done by the body with these buttons.

Take control over the pancreas by clicking here.

Use the settings controls to choose a part of the model and and change its value.

Tasks
Click on the Start button and let the model run. Describe the effect on the body of a falling blood glucose level and explain the effects using your biological knowledge.
What is the approximate normal range of blood glucose levels?
Click on the reset button and then start. Eat two or three meals to push the blood glucose level up and then let the model run. Describe and explain the effect of higher than normal blood glucose levels on the body.
Use the settings list control to check the values and then explain the relative values for each one in the model.
Suggest a suitable threshold glucose level for the detection of blood glucose by the alpha and beta pancreas cells.
Click on reset and then start. Use the controls and the thresholds that you have suggested to manually keep the model running with the blood glucose level within safe limits. (Clue: you will need to tell the body to eat meals, store glycogen and release glucose from glycogen stores). If this seems too easy, go for a run and then see if you can keep it going.
Suggest why marathon runners follow a training diet a few days before a race consisting of complex carbohydrates.
Investigate the effect of the diabetic tick box in the model.