Final answer:
Insulin targets include muscle, liver, and adipose tissue, converting glucose to glycogen and promoting lipid and protein synthesis. In the fed state, insulin regulates blood glucose by enhancing absorption and storage, also inhibiting glucose production in the liver.
Step-by-step explanation:
Downstream Targets of Insulin in a Fed State:
The downstream targets of insulin during the fed state primarily include liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose into muscle cells and adipose cells, converting it to glycogen for storage. In addition, insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glycolysis, promoting the synthesis of glycogen, triglycerides, and proteins within the target cells. The secretion of insulin is meticulously regulated by a negative feedback mechanism.
Effects of Insulin in a Fed State:
After a meal, as the glucose level increases, insulin leads to a series of metabolic events: the promotion of glucose absorption into liver and adipose cells, the conversion of excess glucose into glycogen or fats, and the inhibition of gluconeogenesis in the liver. This ensures that blood glucose levels are maintained within a narrow and healthy range. During this state, extracellular glucose is readily utilized for energy and the excess is stored away, preventing hyperglycemia.