Final answer:
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, leading to a need for insulin injections. It's often diagnosed in children and young adults and is considered an autoimmune response rather than solely a genetic condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. In this condition, the body's immune system mistakenly identifies and attacks the insulin-secreting beta cells in the pancreas. This leads to the destruction of these cells and the consequent inability of the pancreas to produce insulin, which is essential for regulating blood glucose levels. Since the immune system is attacking the body's own cells, it is considered an autoimmune response.
Most cases of type 1 diabetes are diagnosed in children and young adults, and because the disease involves the body's immune system attacking its own tissues, insulin injections become critical for the survival of those affected. Genetic factors do play a role in susceptibility, but the disease itself is triggered by an autoimmune response, not solely by genetic inheritance.