How does the body respond following a meal to ensure a relatively constant blood sugar level?

After a meal blood sugar levels will rise. In the Islets of Langerhans beta cells detect hyperglycaemia and secrete insulin, while alpha cells stop releasing glucagon.
The insulin moves in the blood stream to the liver where it binds to receptors on a hepatocyte. The binding of the insulin to a receptor causes a Glut-4 vesicle to move to and fuse with the cell surface membrane by exocytosis. This increases the permeability of glucose into the cell. Glucose is then removed inside the cell by either glycolysis to produce ATP or conversion to Glycogen in glycogenisis.

CJ
Answered by Cameron J. Biology tutor

2813 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What causes the resting potential in a neurone?


What are the innate and adaptive immune systems and how do their roles overlap?


In photosynthesis, what are the products of the Light Dependent reaction, and the Light Independent reaction (Calvin Cycle)?


Explain how CO2 can cross a cells plasma membrane


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning