Which of the following hormones acts principally on hepatocytes to stimulate both glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, thereby leading to hyperglycemia?

Step-by-step solution

Glucagon is a peptide hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It acts principally on the liver cells (hepatocytes) and stimulates glycogenolysis (the breakdown of glycogen into glucose) and gluconeogenesis (the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors). These processes increase the concentration of glucose in the blood, leading to hyperglycemia. Insulin has the antagonistic effect, promoting glycogenesis and leading to hypoglycemia. Melatonin regulates the diurn