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

3143 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

The drug Atropine blocks the action of of acetylcholine on structures innervated by post-ganglionic cholinergic neurones.


Describe the three different types of point mutation, and explain for each what the effect on the final gene product is likely to be


What is the maximum resolution for a standard optical microscope?


What is artificial life?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning