Insulin
Definition
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. It allows cells to take in glucose from the bloodstream and use it as energy.
Analogy
Think of insulin as a key that unlocks your body's cells, allowing glucose (sugar) to enter and be used for energy. Without this key, glucose can't get into your cells and builds up in your bloodstream instead.
Related terms
Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important source of energy.
Pancreas: An organ in the digestive system that produces insulin and other important enzymes.
Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs.
"Insulin" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (5)
Practice Questions (5)
When the pancreas releases insulin, the liver receives the signal. As a result, the liver begins to collect glucose and covert it into the polysaccharide "glycogen." This is an example of __.
A pancreas cell releases a signal of insulin, which is received by cells in the liver. This type of cell signalling is called __.
A mutation in the receptor protein that regulates blood glucose levels in the bloodstream with insulin can do what?
What is the purpose of insulin in the regulation of blood sugar levels?
What is insulin responsible for regulating in the body?
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