Insulin vs Glucagon: How the Body Balances Glucose Levels

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SUMMARY

Insulin and glucagon are antagonistic hormones crucial for maintaining homeostatic glucose levels in the body. When blood glucose levels rise, pancreatic beta cells secrete insulin, facilitating glucose storage in liver and adipose cells. Conversely, when glucose levels drop, glucagon is released to increase blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis. The body effectively regulates these hormones to prevent unnecessary insulin secretion when glucose is derived from glucagon, ensuring metabolic efficiency.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of insulin and glucagon functions
  • Knowledge of pancreatic hormone secretion
  • Familiarity with gluconeogenesis processes
  • Basic principles of homeostasis in human physiology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms of insulin and glucagon regulation
  • Study the role of beta cells in glucose metabolism
  • Explore conditions where both insulin and glucagon levels are elevated
  • Examine the impact of diet on insulin and glucagon secretion
USEFUL FOR

Students of biochemistry, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in understanding metabolic processes related to glucose regulation in the human body.

mktsgm
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TL;DR
The endocrine system maintains homeostasis by the action of antagonistic hormones. Why don't they destroy each other to the point of complete destruction in the race against each other?
We know that insulin and Glucagon are considered antagonistic hormones as they help us to maintain the homeostatic glucose level for our cells.

When the concentration of blood glucose rises (after eating, for example), beta cells of the pancreas secrete insulin into the blood. Insulin helps to store the excess glucose into storage cells like liver and adipose cells. When the blood glucose level is reduced, Glucagon kicks in and brings more glucose into blood circulation.

At this condition, what prevents insulin to be kicked in again? If so, the glucose produced by the glucagon would be pushed again into storage cells, unnecessarily. Obviously body is not doing this futile act.

I would like to know, how the body decides if the glucose that is circulated is from food (for which insulin may be necessary) or from gluconeogenesis etc (for which insulin should not be produced)?

Also, is there a condition or possibility wherein both insulin and glucagon would be high or low, ie., in a similar state?
 
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mktsgm said:
Summary: The endocrine system maintains homeostasis by the action of antagonistic hormones. Why don't they destroy each other to the point of complete destruction in the race against each other?

We know that insulin and Glucagon are considered antagonistic hormones as they help us to maintain the homeostatic glucose level for our cells.

When the concentration of blood glucose rises (after eating, for example), beta cells of the pancreas secrete insulin into the blood. Insulin helps to store the excess glucose into storage cells like liver and adipose cells. When the blood glucose level is reduced, Glucagon kicks in and brings more glucose into blood circulation.

At this condition, what prevents insulin to be kicked in again? If so, the glucose produced by the glucagon would be pushed again into storage cells, unnecessarily. Obviously body is not doing this futile act.

I would like to know, how the body decides if the glucose that is circulated is from food (for which insulin may be necessary) or from gluconeogenesis etc (for which insulin should not be produced)?

Also, is there a condition or possibility wherein both insulin and glucagon would be high or low, ie., in a similar state?
Did you check the link? A decent biochemistry book will give you the details. Are you studying?
 

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