Regulating blood glucose
Glucose is needed by cells for respiration. It is important that the concentration of glucose in the blood is maintained at a constant level and controlled carefully. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas which regulates glucose concentrations in the blood.
If the blood glucose concentration is too high, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin, this causes glucose to move from the blood into the cells. In liver and muscle cells excess glucose is converted to glycogen for storage, and will be used at a later date.
Action of insulin
Low glucose | High glucose | |
---|---|---|
Effect on pancreas | Insulin not secreted into the blood | Insulin secreted into the blood |
Effect on liver | Does not convert glucose into glycogen | Converts glucose into glycogen |
Effect on blood glucose level | Increases | Decreases |
The diagram illustrates how insulin works in the body: