Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function, 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073403717
ISBN 13: 978-0-07340-371-7

Chapter 17 - Section 17.3 - Other Endocrine Glands - Before You Go On - Page 650: 15

Answer

**Hypoglycemic Hormone:** Hypoglycemic hormones are hormones that lower blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake and utilization by cells or by facilitating the storage of glucose as glycogen. These hormones counteract hyperglycemia, which is elevated blood glucose levels. An example of a hypoglycemic hormone is insulin. **Example: Insulin** Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. It plays a central role in regulating blood glucose levels. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, especially muscle and adipose cells. It promotes the storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscle tissues. By doing so, insulin lowers blood glucose levels and facilitates the movement of glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells for energy use or storage. **Hyperglycemic Hormone:** Hyperglycemic hormones are hormones that raise blood glucose levels. They do this by promoting processes that release glucose into the bloodstream, such as gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources) or the breakdown of glycogen. An example of a hyperglycemic hormone is glucagon. **Example: Glucagon** Glucagon is a hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas. When blood glucose levels are low, such as during fasting or between meals, glucagon is released to counteract hypoglycemia. It stimulates the liver to break down glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis) and promotes gluconeogenesis. These actions increase the amount of glucose in the bloodstream, helping to raise blood glucose levels to meet the body's energy needs. In summary, hypoglycemic hormones like insulin work to lower blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake and storage, while hyperglycemic hormones like glucagon raise blood glucose levels by encouraging processes that release glucose into the bloodstream. These hormonal mechanisms help maintain blood glucose levels within a narrow range to ensure a steady supply of energy to the body's cells.

Work Step by Step

**Hypoglycemic Hormone:** Hypoglycemic hormones are hormones that lower blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake and utilization by cells or by facilitating the storage of glucose as glycogen. These hormones counteract hyperglycemia, which is elevated blood glucose levels. An example of a hypoglycemic hormone is insulin. **Example: Insulin** Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. It plays a central role in regulating blood glucose levels. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, especially muscle and adipose cells. It promotes the storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscle tissues. By doing so, insulin lowers blood glucose levels and facilitates the movement of glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells for energy use or storage. **Hyperglycemic Hormone:** Hyperglycemic hormones are hormones that raise blood glucose levels. They do this by promoting processes that release glucose into the bloodstream, such as gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources) or the breakdown of glycogen. An example of a hyperglycemic hormone is glucagon. **Example: Glucagon** Glucagon is a hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas. When blood glucose levels are low, such as during fasting or between meals, glucagon is released to counteract hypoglycemia. It stimulates the liver to break down glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis) and promotes gluconeogenesis. These actions increase the amount of glucose in the bloodstream, helping to raise blood glucose levels to meet the body's energy needs. In summary, hypoglycemic hormones like insulin work to lower blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake and storage, while hyperglycemic hormones like glucagon raise blood glucose levels by encouraging processes that release glucose into the bloodstream. These hormonal mechanisms help maintain blood glucose levels within a narrow range to ensure a steady supply of energy to the body's cells.
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