Which hormone is produced by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and is secreted when blood sugar levels are high?

Which hormone is produced by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and is secreted when blood sugar levels are high?

• A. Insulin
• B. Glucagon
• C. Somatostatin
• D. Adrenaline

Answer: (A)

When blood sugar rises, the pancreas’ islets release insulin. Insulin acts to move glucose from the bloodstream into cells, especially muscle and fat tissues, and promotes its storage as glycogen in the liver. This lowers blood glucose back toward normal levels. The other hormones don’t fit this situation: glucagon is released when glucose is low to raise it, somatostatin modulates the release of insulin and glucagon, and adrenaline (from the adrenal gland) raises blood glucose during stress. Thus, the hormone produced by the islets of Langerhans in response to high blood sugar is insulin.

When blood sugar rises, the pancreas’ islets release insulin. Insulin acts to move glucose from the bloodstream into cells, especially muscle and fat tissues, and promotes its storage as glycogen in the liver. This lowers blood glucose back toward normal levels. The other hormones don’t fit this situation: glucagon is released when glucose is low to raise it, somatostatin modulates the release of insulin and glucagon, and adrenaline (from the adrenal gland) raises blood glucose during stress. Thus, the hormone produced by the islets of Langerhans in response to high blood sugar is insulin.