Final answer:
Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by various tissues, including skeletal muscles and adipose tissue, through the translocation of Glut4 transporters to the cell membrane. It also promotes glycogen and protein synthesis and causes vasodilation in arterioles supplying blood to muscle tissues by activating eNOS.
Step-by-step explanation:
Insulin is a hormone that plays a critical role in the regulation of blood glucose levels and has various effects on different tissues, including skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. When released in response to elevated blood glucose levels after a meal, insulin binds to insulin receptors and triggers several cellular mechanisms.
In muscle and adipose tissue, insulin stimulates the translocation of Glut4 glucose transporters to the cell membrane, increasing glucose uptake. It also promotes glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscles and protein synthesis in muscle cells. Furthermore, insulin activates nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the smooth muscle cells of arteries, leading to the production of nitric oxide and subsequent vasodilation, which helps regulate blood flow to tissues such as skeletal muscles.