Describe Type 2 diabetes.

• A. The pancreas stops producing insulin.
• B. Glucose cannot enter the bloodstream.
• C. The cells are less responsive to insulin, so glucose cannot enter cells effectively.
• D. Glucose is excreted in urine.

Answer: (C)

Type 2 diabetes is defined by insulin resistance—cells in muscle, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin. Even when insulin is present, the signal to take in glucose is weaker, so glucose stays in the bloodstream and tissues don’t get the energy they need. The pancreas may still produce insulin, often at higher levels early on, but the messaging system is impaired, reducing glucose uptake by cells. That makes the statement about cells being less responsive to insulin the best description. The other ideas describe different conditions or consequences: stopping insulin production is more typical of Type 1, glucose not entering the bloodstream isn’t how glucose handling works, and glucose in urine is a later consequence of consistently high blood glucose, not the defining feature of Type 2.