Final answer:
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, crucial for regulating blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells and its storage as glycogen. Insulin is central to energy metabolism, and resistance to its effects is a characteristic of type 2 diabetes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The substance you're referring to is insulin, a hormone that is critical for blood glucose control. Produced by the beta cells in the pancreas, insulin helps regulate carbohydrate and fat metabolism. It promotes the uptake of glucose by cells such as those in muscle and adipose tissue, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscles or as fat. When glucose levels are high, such as after eating a meal rich in carbohydrates, insulin levels increase to help reduce blood glucose levels to a normal range. On the other hand, when blood glucose levels are low, the hormone glucagon is released to increase glucose by breaking down glycogen. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the target cells have become resistant to the normal effects of insulin, often requiring management through medication, diet, or additional insulin.