Challenge Your Exam Readiness With Our Free ATI TEAS Practice Questions

Insulin, secreted by pancreatic beta cells, lowers blood glucose by facilitating glucose transport into muscle and adipose cells (via GLUT4 translocation) and promoting glycogenesis in liver and muscle. It also stimulates lipogenesis and protein synthesis, shifting metabolism toward storage/anabolism after meals. In contrast, glucagon (A) from alpha cells raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Epinephrine (D) from the adrenal medulla and cortisol (B) from the adrenal cortex are counter-regulatory hormones that increase blood glucose availability during stress—epinephrine acutely via glycogenolysis and cortisol chronically via gluconeogenesis and proteolysis. TEAS emphasizes homeostatic balance: insulin lowers glucose; glucagon and stress hormones raise it. Clinical connection: in diabetes mellitus (insulin deficiency/resistance), glucose remains elevated, producing polyuria, polydipsia, and risk for long-term vascular complications.