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Insulin

OCR A-level BiologyHormonal CommunicationLesson 8 of 11

Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Beta cells detect a rise in the blood glucose concentration and secrete insulin into the blood. Te secretion of glucagon is inhibited. Almost all body cells except red blood cells have a glycoprotein insulin receptor on their cell surface membrane.

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Key terms in this lesson

Glycogenesis
The conversion of excess glucose to glycogen for storage, mainly in the liver and muscles.
Islets of Langerhans
Groups of endocrine cells in the pancreas containing alpha cells, which secrete glucagon, and beta cells, which secrete insulin.
Glucagon
A hormone secreted by alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans in response to low blood glucose concentration that raises blood glucose concentration.

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