Question

Cell Biology Short Answer Question: How does the body respond to decreases in blood glucose levels below about 5 mM?

Answer 1

Due to reduced insulin seretion there is induction of alpha cells of the pancreas to release glucagon into the blood stream. Glucagon binds to the glucagon receptors in the liver cell membrane. The glucagon receptor is coupled to a

Gs protein. As a result of glucagon stimulation pathway in the liver cells, there is activation of PKA. This leads to inhibition of glycogen synthesis and and increase in glycogenolysis. Breakdown of glycogen leads to production of glucose 1 phosphate, which is converted by liver cells into glucose. There is a release of glucose into the blood stream which brings back the glucose level back to normal.