Which pancreatic hormone promotes uptake of glucose into cells?

• A. Glucagon
• B. Somatostatin
• C. Insulin
• D. Amylin

Answer: (C)

Insulin enables cells to take in glucose from the bloodstream. When blood glucose rises after a meal, pancreatic beta cells release insulin, which binds to receptors on muscle and fat cells. This triggers a signaling cascade that moves GLUT4 glucose transporters to the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cells efficiently. This uptake lowers blood glucose and supports storage of energy as glycogen in liver and muscle and as fat in adipose tissue. In the liver, insulin also promotes glycolysis and glycogen synthesis while inhibiting glucose production, reinforcing the glucose-lowering effect.

Glucagon works in the opposite direction, increasing blood glucose by stimulating glycogen breakdown and glucose production in the liver. Somatostatin inhibits the release of several hormones and slows gastrointestinal processes, so it doesn’t promote glucose uptake into cells. Amylin, co-secreted with insulin, helps regulate gastric emptying and glucagon secretion but does not directly drive glucose uptake into tissues.