Type 1 diabetes is primarily caused by which of the following?

Type 1 diabetes is primarily caused by which of the following?

• A. Pancreas is inefficient at producing insulin due to hereditary factors
• B. Excess insulin production causing low blood glucose
• C. Autoimmune destruction of the liver
• D. Vitamin deficiency affecting metabolism

Answer: (A)

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, so the body makes little or no insulin. Insulin is essential for letting glucose into body cells, so without it blood glucose stays high. Genetics can make a person more susceptible to this autoimmune attack, which is why the idea that the pancreas is inefficient at producing insulin because of hereditary factors best fits the situation. The other ideas don’t fit: too much insulin would lower blood glucose; the liver isn’t the main target of this autoimmune destruction; and a vitamin deficiency isn’t the cause of this condition.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, so the body makes little or no insulin. Insulin is essential for letting glucose into body cells, so without it blood glucose stays high. Genetics can make a person more susceptible to this autoimmune attack, which is why the idea that the pancreas is inefficient at producing insulin because of hereditary factors best fits the situation. The other ideas don’t fit: too much insulin would lower blood glucose; the liver isn’t the main target of this autoimmune destruction; and a vitamin deficiency isn’t the cause of this condition.