Glucagon (Noun)
Meaning
A hormone secreted by the pancreas; stimulates increases in blood sugar levels in the blood (thus opposing the action of insulin).
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- When the level of glucose in the bloodstream drops too low, glucagon is secreted into the blood, triggering the liver to convert stored glycogen back into glucose.
- The administration of glucagon resulted in a rapid increase in plasma glucose levels in all subjects, as expected from the hormone's physiological function.
- In the treatment of severe hypoglycemia, glucagon can be administered as an emergency injection to rapidly increase blood glucose levels.
- Diabetes researchers have been studying the role of glucagon in glucose homeostasis and exploring its potential as a therapeutic target for managing the condition.
- The interplay between insulin and glucagon is critical in maintaining proper levels of glucose in the bloodstream, with glucagon acting as a "counter-hormone" to insulin's glucose-lowering effects.