Final answer:
The body normally regulates blood glucose levels through the release of insulin, which helps glucose enter cells. Type 1 diabetes is due to a lack of insulin production, while type 2 diabetes is related to insulin resistance. 'Mellitus,' referring to 'honey-sweet,' describes the sweet urine in untreated diabetes due to excess glucose excretion.
Step-by-step explanation:
When glucose levels increase in the bloodstream, a normal body responds by releasing insulin, which allows glucose to enter cells and be used for energy, maintaining healthy glucose levels. Insulin acts by binding to receptors on cell surfaces, facilitating the opening of glucose channels for glucose uptake. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is more commonly linked with insulin resistance, where cells fail to respond to insulin properly, and symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. The liver can exacerbate type 2 diabetes by releasing more glucose into the blood, due to insulin resistance. Dietary changes are more likely to influence type 2 diabetes. If glucose levels continue to rise, the kidneys' capacity to reabsorb glucose is exceeded, resulting in glucose excretion in the urine, a condition known as glucosuria. Mellitus means "honey-sweet" in Latin, referring to the characteristic sweet urine of untreated diabetes sufferers.