Question

Body cells in the body respond to glucagon by breaking down glycogen and releasing glucose?

A) liver cells and muscle cells only
B) liver cells only
C) intestinal cells only
D) liver cells, as well as most other cells of the body
E) muscle cells only

Answer 1

Glucagon raises blood glucose levels by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in skeletal muscle cells and liver cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

When blood glucose levels decline below normal levels, for example between meals or when glucose is utilized rapidly during exercise, the hormone glucagon is released from the alpha cells of the pancreas. Glucagon raises blood glucose levels, eliciting what is called a hyperglycemic effect, by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in skeletal muscle cells and liver cells in a process called glycogenolysis.

Glucose can then be utilized as energy by muscle cells and released into circulation by the liver cells. Glucagon also stimulates absorption of amino acids from the blood by the liver, which then converts them to glucose. This process of glucose synthesis is called gluconeogenesis. Glucagon also stimulates adipose cells to release fatty acids into the blood.