BRAINCAKECarbohydrate Metabolism in the Liver
Hepatocytes are target cells for insulin and glucagon, both hormones responsible for the regulation of blood glucose concentration. When the blood glucose level rises hepatocytes convert glucose to glycogen. When blood glucose levels fall, the hormone glucagon stimulates the hepatocytes to convert glycogen back to glucose.
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Key terms in this lesson
- hepatocyte
- A liver cell, responsible for the metabolic functions of the liver such as carbohydrate metabolism and detoxification.
- hormone
- A chemical messenger, secreted by an endocrine gland directly into the blood, that travels to target cells bearing complementary receptors and brings about a response.
- glucagon
- A hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans in response to low blood glucose concentration, which raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver.
- insulin
- A hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in response to a rise in blood glucose concentration, which lowers blood glucose by stimulating cells to take up and use or store glucose.
More in Homeostasis
- Warming Up
- Excretion
- The Liver
- Structure of the Liver
- Transamination and Deamination
- Detoxification
- Production of Bile Salts, Bile Pigments and Cholesterol
- The Kidneys
All 33 lessons in Homeostasis · All AQA A-level Biology topics