Final answer:
Insulin and glucagon are hormones produced by the pancreas, specifically by the pancreatic islets' alpha and beta cells, which regulate blood glucose levels by affecting glucose metabolism in the liver and muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Insulin and glucagon are hormones that are produced by the pancreas. The endocrine cells of the pancreas form clusters known as the pancreatic islets or the islets of Langerhans. In these pancreatic islets, the alpha and beta cells play a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels. Specifically, the alpha cells produce glucagon, which increases blood glucose, while the beta cells produce insulin that decreases blood glucose.
Glucagon is secreted when the blood glucose levels fall, stimulating the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream. Conversely, when blood glucose levels rise often after a meal, insulin is generated to facilitate the absorption of glucose by the body's cells and to initiate the conversion of glucose into glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles. This balanced action of glucagon and insulin keeps the blood glucose levels within a normal range, ensuring the body functions correctly.