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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements best describes the role of insulin in the body?
A
Insulin increases gluconeogenesis in the liver.
B
Insulin promotes the uptake of glucose into cells, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.
C
Insulin stimulates the breakdown of glycogen to increase blood glucose levels.
D
Insulin inhibits the synthesis of fatty acids in adipose tissue.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of insulin in the body. Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Its primary function is to regulate blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells.
Step 2: Analyze the first statement: 'Insulin increases gluconeogenesis in the liver.' Gluconeogenesis is the process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, which typically occurs during fasting. Insulin actually inhibits gluconeogenesis, as its role is to lower blood glucose levels, not increase them.
Step 3: Evaluate the second statement: 'Insulin promotes the uptake of glucose into cells, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.' This is correct because insulin facilitates the transport of glucose into cells, particularly muscle and adipose tissue, by activating glucose transporters such as GLUT4.
Step 4: Examine the third statement: 'Insulin stimulates the breakdown of glycogen to increase blood glucose levels.' This is incorrect because insulin promotes glycogen synthesis (glycogenesis) rather than glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis). Glycogen breakdown is stimulated by glucagon, not insulin.
Step 5: Assess the fourth statement: 'Insulin inhibits the synthesis of fatty acids in adipose tissue.' This is incorrect because insulin actually promotes fatty acid synthesis in adipose tissue by stimulating enzymes like acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which are involved in lipogenesis.