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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 sugar for energy or storage, depending on what's needed.

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 the cells and instead builds up in your bloodstream.

Related terms

Glucagon: This is another hormone produced by the pancreas that works with insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is low, glucagon signals the liver to release stored glucose.

Pancreas: An organ in the digestive system that produces insulin and other important enzymes and hormones.

Homeostasis: The process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment. In this case, it refers to how insulin helps keep our blood sugar levels stable.