What is the metabolic abnormality that underlies the characteristic symptoms of diabetes mellitus?
A) a failure of the kidney tubules to reabsorb enough glucose from the urine
B) an inability of the body's cells to switch from glucose metabolism to fat metabolism between meals
C) an inability of the body's cells to retain glucose they have absorbed from the blood
D) an inability of the body's cells to absorb enough glucose from the blood

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The metabolic abnormality that underlies the characteristic symptoms of diabetes mellitus is an inability of the body's cells to absorb enough glucose from the blood. This is due to either a lack of insulin or a decreased response to insulin in the body's cells. As a result, glucose levels in the blood remain high, leading to the symptoms of diabetes mellitus.

What Is the Metabolic Abnormality That Underlies the Characteristic Symptoms