Final answer:
A person unable to produce glucagon due to a genetic defect would likely experience low blood sugar levels since glucagon's role is to raise glucose levels when they are too low. Hypoglycemia is the main risk in such cases, requiring medical intervention to prevent or treat.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person were unable to produce glucagon due to a genetic defect, the likely outcome for that individual would be to experience low blood sugar levels. Glucagon is a hormone produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas that plays a crucial role in maintaining glucose homeostasis, especially when blood sugar levels fall too low. In response to hypoglycemia, glucagon is released into the bloodstream and stimulates the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream to raise the blood glucose levels.
In the absence of glucagon, a person's ability to raise their blood glucose levels in times of need would be compromised. Without this counter-regulatory mechanism, an individual is more susceptible to hypoglycemia, a condition where blood sugar levels are abnormally low. Hypoglycemia can lead to symptoms like shakiness, confusion, heart palpitations and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures.
Therefore, option 1) 'Experience low blood sugar levels' is the correct answer. This contrasts with a condition like Type 1 diabetes where the pancreas fails to produce insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia. In situations where the body is unable to produce glucagon, medical intervention, such as glucose tablets or injections, may be necessary to prevent or treat episodes of hypoglycemia.
As for the other options, they do not directly relate to a deficiency of glucagon. High blood sugar levels are typically associated with insufficient insulin, not glucagon. Normal blood sugar levels would not be likely in this scenario without medical intervention, and the inability to digest food properly relates to digestive enzymes rather than hormones regulating blood sugar.