AEMCA Practice Exam

What occurs in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM)?

1. The pancreas produces no insulin.

2. The body produces excess glucose.

3. The cells increase their insulin production.

4. The liver stores more glycogen.

The correct answer is: The pancreas produces no insulin.

In Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), also known as Type 1 Diabetes, the primary characteristic is the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This destruction leads to little to no insulin production, which is crucial for regulating blood glucose levels. Without sufficient insulin, glucose cannot be effectively transported into the cells, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. The other options do not accurately describe the physiological changes in IDDM. While the body may produce excess glucose due to the lack of insulin prompting cells to take up glucose, the foundational issue remains the inadequate production of insulin itself. Additionally, the cells do not increase their insulin production in this condition, because the underlying problem is that the pancreas is unable to produce insulin in the first place. Lastly, while the liver typically stores glucose as glycogen in response to insulin, the lack of insulin in IDDM leads to decreased glycogen storage and potentially increased glucose release into the bloodstream, compounding the hyperglycemia associated with the disease.