Final answer:
Type 1 Diabetes is caused by the autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the pancreas, resulting in a lack of insulin production. Unlike Type 2 Diabetes, it is not caused by insulin resistance or obesity, but rather by an autoimmune response that destroys the beta cells, leading to the inability to regulate blood glucose levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Type 1 Diabetes and Its Etiology
The student's question pertains to the abrupt onset of Type 1 Diabetes, which is a chronic autoimmune condition. This condition is characterized by the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas. It is not associated with insulin resistance, which is commonly seen in Type 2 Diabetes, nor is it directly related to obesity or hyperlipidemia, although these factors may be involved in other types of diabetes or metabolic disorders.
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). It is an autoimmune disease whereby the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. With the loss of these cells, the body can no longer regulate blood glucose levels effectively, leading to symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, weight loss, and fatigue. The destruction of beta cells is a process that may take place over several years, but once a significant amount of these cells are destroyed, the symptoms tend to appear suddenly.
It is important to distinguish between the causes of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. In Type 1 Diabetes, the cause is the destruction of beta cells (b), not insulin resistance (a), which is the hallmark of Type 2 Diabetes. Also, Type 1 Diabetes is not considered to be related to obesity (c), which is a risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes. Lastly, while people with diabetes may experience hyperlipidemia, it is generally not considered a cause of Type 1 Diabetes (d).
Given the options provided by the student, the correct option for the cause of Type 1 Diabetes' abrupt onset is (b) Beta-cell destruction.