To graphically view the individual response of the body in metabolizing a known amount of glucose. To correlate that response to hormonally controlled processes of anabolism and catabolism. An oral glucose tolerance test measures the bodies ability to utilize a known amount of glucose. A subject is given a measured dose of glucose in a liquid to drink.
Blood is drawn at set intervals and glucose is measured.
While there will be some individual variations, a normal individual will tend to follow a typical graphic curve. Additionally, various metabolic disorders will also tend to yield their own typical curves. The graphs on page 109 of your text are typical for various conditions. They can be explained by looking at the processes of glycolysis, glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, and gluconeogenesis and the action of insulin and glucagon. Three individuals were given an oral glucose tolerance test.