Final answer:
When blood glucose levels drop, insulin secretion stops and glucagon is released, followed by glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, and proteolysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When blood glucose levels drop, the sequence of events that take place in the body is as follows:
- Insulin secretion stops and glucagon is released: The beta cells in the pancreas stop secreting insulin, and the alpha cells release the hormone glucagon. Glucagon raises blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.
- Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis takes place: Glycogenolysis is the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, which is then released into the blood. Gluconeogenesis is the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources such as amino acids and glycerol.
- Lipolysis takes place: Lipolysis is the breakdown of fat, which releases fatty acids into the blood. These fatty acids can be used as an additional source of energy.
- Proteolysis takes place: Proteolysis is the breakdown of proteins, which can also contribute to the production of glucose in the body.