Control of blood glucose concentration by pancreas and insulin
Regulating blood glucose
is needed by cells for . It is important that the concentration of glucose in the blood is maintained at a constant level and controlled carefully. is a hormone - produced by the - that regulates glucose concentrations in the blood.
If the blood glucose concentration is too high, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin that causes glucose to move from the blood into the cells. In liver and muscle cells excess glucose is converted to for storage, and will be used at a later date.
Action of insulin
| Low glucose | High glucose | |
| Effect on pancreas | Insulin not secreted into the blood | Insulin secreted into the blood |
| Effect on liver | Does not convert glucose into glycogen | Converts glucose into glycogen |
| Effect on blood glucose level | Increases | Decreases |
| Effect on pancreas | |
|---|---|
| Low glucose | Insulin not secreted into the blood |
| High glucose | Insulin secreted into the blood |
| Effect on liver | |
|---|---|
| Low glucose | Does not convert glucose into glycogen |
| High glucose | Converts glucose into glycogen |
| Effect on blood glucose level | |
|---|---|
| Low glucose | Increases |
| High glucose | Decreases |
The diagram illustrates how insulin works in the body:
Learn more about blood glucose with Dr Alex Lathbridge.
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
