Final answer:
Insulin is the hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreas in response to high blood glucose levels, facilitating the uptake and storage of glucose, thereby reducing blood sugar levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose levels is insulin. When blood glucose levels rise, for example after a meal, the beta cells in the pancreatic islets release insulin into the bloodstream. This hormone promotes the uptake of glucose by body cells and stimulates the conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage, primarily in the liver and muscles, thereby lowering the blood glucose levels back to a normal range. The opposing hormone, glucagon, is produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are low, stimulating the liver to release glucose into the blood.
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus are conditions that are characterized by high blood glucose levels, or hyperglycemia. In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys the beta cells, leading to insufficient insulin production. In Type 2 diabetes, the body's cells show resistance to insulin, despite its presence. Both result in impaired glucose utilization by the body.