What is the role played by insulin in lowering glucose levels in the blood?

Answer 1

Answers may vary. Insulin is capable of communicating only with cells (e.g., those in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) that have built-in "receivers" located on the surface of their outer membranes. These receivers, referred to as insulin receptors, bind insulin, in turn signaling the cell to take up glucose from the blood. Once it is inside the cell, glucose can be used as a source of energy (adenosine triphosphate).Insulin has other far-reaching effects in the body. For example, insulin promotes the storage of excess glucose as glycogen in liver and skeletal muscle cells. This is often important after a meal when there may be more glucose available than what is needed by the body. However, only small amounts of glucose can be stored this way. Once this limit is reached, glucose is redirected to metabolic pathways that convert it to fat. Unlike glycogen storage, the body has a seemingly endless capacity to store body fat. In addition to stimulating the storage of excess glucose as glycogen and fat, insulin also plays an important role in the preservation of muscle protein. All of these actions work together to help bring blood glucose levels back down to normal-an excellent example of how the body maintains glucose homeostasis.