Modeling Type 2 Diabetes
MODEL BOARD
The Board
Click picture for PDF
Materials for each student group:
Board:
Printed 11” x 17” model board (click picture above) or DIY model
1 balance made from red card stock, approximately 7.5 in x 1 in, and pointed at one end.
1 brad to connect the red arrow to the board
Model Pieces:
30 pieces of wheel-shaped (rotelle) pasta to represent glucose
20 pieces of I-shaped (penne) pasta to represent insulin
10 pieces of curvy-shaped (macaroni) pasta to represent glucagon
Note: Any three shapes/colors of pasta can be used to represent glucose, insulin, and glucagon.
1 small sticky note cut into 4 strips, each with a sticky end
For Scenario Six: 4 small marshmallows and 12 pieces of spaghetti (these can be ~4 inch pieces)
Scenario Cards:
A video showing the use of the model board can be found here.
The Board Pieces
GLUCOSE
Fuel used to make energy for the cell
Must be kept within a healthy range
Too much blood glucose leads to type 2 diabetes
INSULIN
Hormone released when blood glucose in HIGH
Needed for glucose to enter the cells in some tissues
Made in pancreas
GLUCAGON
Hormone released when blood glucose is LOW
Needed to release glucose back into the blood in some tissues
Made in the pancreas
GLYCOGEN
Stored form of glucose
Made up of connected units of glucose
Stored mostly in the liver and muscles
How does type 2 diabetes effect the body?
Insulin resistance and beta cell damage can lead to elevated blood glucose levels, known as prediabetes. If left unchecked, this can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.
When a person has excess glucose in their blood, it binds to proteins, cells, and tissues, and they no longer work the way they should. This can lead to:
Constant thirst and urination, as the kidneys are unable to cope with high blood glucose levels. Other mechanisms can eventually lead to kidney failure.
Blindness, as the small blood vessels in the back of the eye become broken.
Infection in the toes, legs and feet, caused by poor circulation and a lack of feeling due to nerve damage.
Heart failure as large blood vessels become clogged and small blood vessels become fragile and leaky.
