Final answer:
Insulin helps regulate blood glucose by triggering body cells to absorb glucose from the blood for use in energy production, and by facilitating its conversion to glycogen for storage. Insulin injections enhance glucose transport and storage, particularly post-meal. It also activates pathways that increase the cellular uptake of glucose and promote its storage and utilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Insulin is a hormone with vital roles in regulating blood glucose levels. Its primary function is to trigger body cells, such as those in muscles and the liver, to take up glucose from the blood. This glucose is then utilized in various cellular processes including cellular respiration. In addition, insulin facilitates the conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage in the liver and muscles which decreases blood glucose levels and ensures a supply of energy is available for future needs. When insulin is injected, it helps transport and store glucose, especially after a high-glucose meal, helping to manage blood glucose levels effectively. At the molecular level, insulin binds to its receptor on the cell membrane, initiating a cascade of protein activations. This includes the translocation of the Glut-4 transporter to the plasma membrane allowing for an influx of glucose.
Insulin injections also promote the immediate conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate inside cells, which maintains a concentration gradient that favors glucose transport into the cell. Additionally insulin has a role in encouraging the synthesis of proteins and fatty acids demonstrating its diverse impact on metabolism.