Question

a) Where is excess glucose converted for storage and how is it stored? b) List two hormones that promote an increase in glucose in blood.

Answer 1

Excess glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle tissues, or as fatty acids in adipose cells. Glucagon and epinephrine are hormones that increase blood glucose levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

Excess Glucose Conversion and Hormones Increasing Blood Glucose

Excess glucose is converted into glycogen for storage primarily in the liver, and to a lesser extent in the muscle tissues. This process is known as glycogenesis. When the blood glucose levels are high, such as after a meal, the pancreas releases insulin, which stimulates the liver to convert glucose into glycogen. Conversely, when the body needs glucose, glycogen can be converted back into glucose in a process called glycogenolysis.

For long-term storage, excess glucose can also be converted into fatty acids through de novo lipogenesis, which are then stored in adipose cells as body fat. This occurs when glycogen stores are full and the body still has an excess of glucose.

Two hormones that promote an increase in blood glucose are:

1. Glucagon: Released by the pancreas when blood glucose levels drop. It stimulates glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, processes that increase blood glucose.
2. Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline): It is released in response to stress and increases blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis as well.