Question

11. Describe the cellular role of insulin and glucagon (receptor activation and the outcome after activation)

Answer 1

The pancreas sectrets both these hormones insulin and glucagon and both them play an important role to regulate the blood glucose level in our body. Together they maintain a state that is called as glucose homeostasis,when blood sugar level is high pancreas sectrets more insulin and when the level is low it sectrets more glucagon.

Our body gain carbohydrates from the food as a form of glucose that serves as a vital energy source for the cellular work but most of them are unable to use glucose without the help of insulin. Insulin receptor attaches to the glucose on the cell though out the body and induce the cells to open up the entry for the glucose . Spike on the insulin signals instruct the liver cells about the high blood glucose level and then the liver absorbs the glucose for storage in the form of glycogen.

On the other hand when the blood glucose level falls due to skipping meals or poor nutrition then pancreas sectrets glucagon which instructs the liver to convert glucose from glycogen to make glucose available in bloodstream. Like this both these hormones work in a cycle to maintain blood glucose homeostasis.