Which pancreatic hormone raises blood glucose levels?

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Multiple Choice

Which pancreatic hormone raises blood glucose levels?

The hormone that raises blood glucose is glucagon, released by alpha cells in the pancreas. When blood sugar drops, glucagon signals the liver to increase glucose output by promoting glycogenolysis (breaking down glycogen) and gluconeogenesis (making new glucose), which raises the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Insulin does the opposite, lowering blood glucose by helping glucose enter cells and by inhibiting glucose production in the liver. Somatostatin mainly dampens the release of other pancreatic hormones, so it doesn’t actively raise glucose. Amylin, co-secreted with insulin, helps regulate postprandial glucose by slowing gastric emptying and modestly reducing glucagon, but it is not the primary hormone that raises blood sugar.

The hormone that raises blood glucose is glucagon, released by alpha cells in the pancreas. When blood sugar drops, glucagon signals the liver to increase glucose output by promoting glycogenolysis (breaking down glycogen) and gluconeogenesis (making new glucose), which raises the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Insulin does the opposite, lowering blood glucose by helping glucose enter cells and by inhibiting glucose production in the liver. Somatostatin mainly dampens the release of other pancreatic hormones, so it doesn’t actively raise glucose. Amylin, co-secreted with insulin, helps regulate postprandial glucose by slowing gastric emptying and modestly reducing glucagon, but it is not the primary hormone that raises blood sugar.

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