Insulin & Glucagon: Negative Feedback for Blood Sugar

In summary, Insulin and glucagon are hormones that act as negative feedback to maintain homeostasis in the body. Insulin, secreted by the pancreas, encourages cells to absorb sugars/carbohydrates from the blood. However, when there is enough sugar in the body, the overproduction of insulin signals a negative feedback to the pancreas to stop producing insulin. In diabetic patients, there may be issues with cell stimulation or coordination between insulin production and pancreas stimulation.
  • #1
JimmyRay
89
0
Hi, I want to know how the Insulin/Glucagon hormones act as negative feedback.

Blood sugar goes up, insulin is created, blood sugar goes down, glucagon is created, blood sugar goes up again, and they basically compete with each other to maintain homeostasis, right? But how is this negative feedback.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
Insulin hormone is secreted by Pancreas. Insulin mainly encourages the cells to absorb sugars/carbohydrates from the blood. Pancreas secrete Insulin , but when sugar has been absorbed by the cells in apt. amount , and there is just enuff sugar as needed by the body , the overproduction of Insulin gives a negative feedback to previous reactions , due to which pancreas are no mor stimulated by the brain to produce insulin. But when sugar/CarboH levels are again on the increase , Pancreas are again stimulated to produce Insulin which helps cells absorb the sugar/CarboH . In diabetic patients , it maybe the case ,that cells are not being stimulated properly , or there is no coordination between insulin production and pancrea-stimulation.
 
  • #3


Negative feedback is a process in which the output of a system is used to regulate the input, resulting in a stable state. In the case of insulin and glucagon, these hormones play a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels in the body.

When blood sugar levels rise, insulin is released from the pancreas. Insulin signals cells in the body to take up glucose from the bloodstream, thus decreasing blood sugar levels. This is the first step in the negative feedback loop. As blood sugar levels decrease, the pancreas reduces the release of insulin, preventing blood sugar levels from dropping too low.

On the other hand, when blood sugar levels drop, the pancreas releases glucagon. Glucagon signals the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream, increasing blood sugar levels. This is the second step in the negative feedback loop. As blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas reduces the release of glucagon, preventing blood sugar levels from rising too high.

In this way, insulin and glucagon work together to maintain a stable blood sugar level, with each hormone acting as a negative feedback mechanism for the other. This ensures that blood sugar levels remain within a narrow range, which is essential for proper functioning of the body's cells and organs.

In summary, insulin and glucagon act as negative feedback for blood sugar by regulating each other's release and maintaining a stable blood sugar level. This is a vital process in maintaining homeostasis and ensuring the body's overall health.
 

1. What is insulin and glucagon?

Insulin and glucagon are two hormones that play a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels in the body. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and helps lower blood sugar levels, while glucagon is also produced by the pancreas and helps raise blood sugar levels.

2. How do insulin and glucagon work together to regulate blood sugar?

Insulin and glucagon work together in a negative feedback loop to maintain stable blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are high, the pancreas releases insulin, which helps cells absorb glucose from the blood. When blood sugar levels are low, the pancreas releases glucagon, which signals the liver to release stored glucose into the blood.

3. What happens if insulin and glucagon are not functioning properly?

If insulin and glucagon are not functioning properly, it can lead to abnormal blood sugar levels. Too much insulin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), while too little insulin can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Similarly, an excess of glucagon can result in high blood sugar, while a deficiency can cause low blood sugar.

4. How does negative feedback help maintain blood sugar levels?

Negative feedback is a mechanism that helps maintain homeostasis in the body. In the case of blood sugar regulation, when blood sugar levels rise, insulin is released to lower them, and when blood sugar levels fall, glucagon is released to raise them. This feedback loop ensures that blood sugar levels stay within a healthy range.

5. What are some factors that can affect the production of insulin and glucagon?

Several factors can affect the production of insulin and glucagon, including diet, physical activity, stress, and certain diseases. A diet high in sugar and carbohydrates can lead to excess insulin production, while physical activity can increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin. Stress can also affect insulin and glucagon levels, as cortisol (the stress hormone) can increase blood sugar levels. Additionally, diseases such as diabetes can impact the production and function of insulin and glucagon.

Similar threads

  • Biology and Medical
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
829
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • Classical Physics
Replies
3
Views
603
Replies
18
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
4K
Back
Top