What is the function of glucagon?

What is the function of glucagon?

• A. Decreases Blood Glucose
• B. Increases Blood Glucose
• C. Regulates Melatonin
• D. Promotes Urine Formation

Answer: (B)

Glucagon raises blood glucose by signaling the liver to release glucose when levels are low. It’s released from pancreatic alpha cells in response to falling blood sugar and acts mainly on liver cells. By binding to its receptors, it increases cAMP inside hepatocytes, which activates pathways for glycogenolysis (breaking down stored glycogen into glucose) and gluconeogenesis (making new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources). The net result is more glucose released into the bloodstream. This is opposite to insulin, which lowers blood glucose. The other options describe functions unrelated to glucagon—decreasing glucose, regulating melatonin, or promoting urine formation—so they don’t fit the hormone’s role.

Glucagon raises blood glucose by signaling the liver to release glucose when levels are low. It’s released from pancreatic alpha cells in response to falling blood sugar and acts mainly on liver cells. By binding to its receptors, it increases cAMP inside hepatocytes, which activates pathways for glycogenolysis (breaking down stored glycogen into glucose) and gluconeogenesis (making new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources). The net result is more glucose released into the bloodstream. This is opposite to insulin, which lowers blood glucose. The other options describe functions unrelated to glucagon—decreasing glucose, regulating melatonin, or promoting urine formation—so they don’t fit the hormone’s role.