Chapter 24, Problem 1E

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Type I diabetes is often referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset of diabetes mellitus. This nomenclature is associated with early onset of this autoimmune disease often in childhood. The pancreas is damaged so as to produce very little or no insulin marked by the increased levels of glucose in blood and urine.

Answer to Problem 1E

Solution:

The correct answer is option (c).

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer:

The correct answer is option (c) as it highlights that type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease of the endocrine pancreas.

An autoimmune disease is one in which the antibodies or other elements of immune system fail to differentiate and attack body’s own cells. In type I diabetes mellitus, antibodies attack the endocrine pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin. As a result, the functional output of pancreas diminishes to produce very little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates glucose metabolism. It is released to signal breakdown of glucose to release energy. Hence, impaired glucose metabolism results in higher blood glucose levels in the type I diabetes mellitus.

Explanation for incorrect answer:

Option (a) is given as bacterial infection of the adrenal medulla. Neither does Type I DM involve bacterial infection nor is the affected gland adrenal medulla. It is an autoimmune disease of the pancreas. So, this is an incorrect option.

Option (b) is given as viral infection of the adrenal medulla. Neither does Type I DM involve any viral infection nor is the affected gland adrenal medulla. It is an autoimmune disease of the pancreas. So, this is an incorrect answer.

Option (d) is given as autoimmune disease of the exocrine pancreas. Though type I DM is an autoimmune disorder but it does not affect the exocrine activities of the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. It affects the endocrine cells of the pancreas to produce little or no hormone insulin. So, this option is incorrect.

Option (e) is given as disease of chronic obesity. Chronic obesity may lead to type II diabetes as a lifestyle associated disorder in adults. Since type I DM is more related to genetic causes in early age, this option is incorrect.

Conclusion

Among the given options option (c) is correct. Type I DM is an autoimmune disease of the endocrine pancreas.