INSULIN AS A CHEMICAL OF LIFE

 

Introduction: Insulin increases the transport of glucose from the blood into cells by increasing the permeability of cell membranes to glucose. It should be noted however that the Brain, liver, and kidney cells, are not dependent on insulin for glucose intake.

Role of glucose in cells: Once inside cells, glucose is used in cell respiration to produce energy in form of ATP. The liver and skeletal muscles also change glucose to glycogen, a process biochemically known as glycogenesis, which means glycogen production and the implication is that glucose can be stored for later use.

Other roles of insulin other than glucose metabolism: Insulin is also important in the metabolism of other food types; it enables cells to take in fatty acids and amino acids to use in the synthesis of lipids and proteins and in this case not energy production. Without insulin, blood levels of lipids tend to rise and cells accumulate excess fatty acids. With respect to blood glucose, insulin decreases its level by promoting the use of glucose for energy production.

Secretion of Insulin and consequences of it’s deficiency: Insulin is a vital hormone that we cannot survive for very long without. A deficiency of insulin or in its functioning is called diabetes mellitus. Secretion of insulin is stimulated by hyperglycemia which is a condition of high blood glucose level. This state occurs after eating, especially of meals high in carbohydrates. As glucose is absorbed from the small intestine into the blood, insulin is secreted to enable cells to use the glucose for immediate energy. At the same time, any excess glucose will be stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen.

RELATED;

1.  Glucagon

2.  The endocrine pancreas

3.  Diabetes mellitus

REFERECES