Question

in the pancreas, glucagon is secreted for the purpose of:

releasing insulin.

lowering blood sugar.

stimulates glucose absorption.

stimulates the breakdown of glycogen.

Explanation:

Identify the physiological role of glucagon

Using the Glucagon Secretion and Glucose Homeostasis knowledge points

• Glucagon is a peptide hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets.
• Its primary physiological role is to increase blood glucose levels when they fall too low (hypoglycemia).
• It achieves this by stimulating glycogenolysis (the breakdown of stored glycogen into glucose) and gluconeogenesis in the liver.

Evaluate the given options

• Releasing insulin: Insulin is secreted by beta cells in response to high blood glucose, acting antagonistically to glucagon.
• Lowering blood sugar: This is the function of insulin, not glucagon.
• Stimulates glucose absorption: Insulin promotes glucose uptake into tissues; glucagon promotes glucose release into the blood.
• Stimulates the breakdown of glycogen: This matches glycogenolysis, the direct mechanism by which glucagon raises blood glucose.

Answer:

• Releasing insulin.
• Lowering blood sugar.
• Stimulates glucose absorption.
• Stimulates the breakdown of glycogen. (Correct answer)