NEETZoologyChemical Coordination and Integration
What is the role of glucagons in maintaining glucose homeostasis?
Options
- AIncreases blood glucose levels
- BDecreases blood glucose levels
- CMaintains glucose homeostasis jointly with insulin
- DDoes not play a role in maintaining glucose homeostasis
Correct answer
C. Maintains glucose homeostasis jointly with insulin
Step-by-step solution
Insulin is a peptide hormone, which plays a major role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. Insulin acts mainly on hepatocytes and adipocytes (cells of adipose tissue), and enhances cellular glucose uptake and utilisation. As a result, there is a rapid movement of glucose from blood to hepatocytes and adipocytes resulting in decreased blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia). Insulin also stimulates conversion of glucose to glycogen (glycogenesis) in the target cells. The glucose homeostasis in blood is thus mainta