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Some diabetics carry a chocolate bar to boost their blood sugar levels if they are in danger of hypoglycaemia.

Unit 3 - Glucagon (H)

GCSE Biology explores how hormones like glucagon help control blood glucose concentration, making sure cells receive a steady supply of energy even between meals or during exercise.

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(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

One main action of glucagon is to stimulate glycogenolysis in the liver. This is the breakdown of stored glycogen into glucose.

In GCSE Biology, glucagon is studied as a hormone that works with insulin to keep blood glucose concentration within safe limits. You learn how this hormone is released from the pancreas and helps restore normal levels when blood glucose falls too low.

Key Terms

Glucagon: A hormone released from the pancreas when blood glucose is low, which acts to increase the concentration of glucose in the blood.
Insulin: A hormone that lowers blood glucose concentration by helping body cells take up glucose from the blood after eating.
Homeostasis: The maintenance of a constant internal environment in the body, including stable conditions such as temperature and blood glucose concentration.

Frequently Asked Questions (click to see answers)

What does glucagon do in GCSE Biology?

In GCSE Biology, glucagon is described as a hormone that helps raise blood glucose concentration when it becomes too low, working in opposition to insulin to keep levels balanced.

When is glucagon released from the pancreas?

Glucagon is released from cells in the pancreas when blood glucose concentration falls, such as between meals or during prolonged exercise, helping to restore levels towards the normal range.

How do insulin and glucagon work together?

Insulin and glucagon form a negative feedback system. Insulin lowers high blood glucose, while glucagon raises low blood glucose, so together they help keep the concentration close to a set point.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Glucagon is released from which organ?

Liver

Brain

Muscles

Pancreas

The pancreas is an organ whose function is to release hormones and enzymes into the bloodstream

2 .

Glucagon is released when blood glucose levels are...

high

low

equal

different

It has the opposite effect to insulin

3 .

Which storage molecule is broken down due to the action of glucagon?

Starch

Cellulose

Glucose

Glycogen

Glycogen is the stored form of glucose in animals. Starch is the stored form of glucose in plants

4 .

Glycogen is found in muscles and...

brain

liver

heart

lungs

The liver has many other jobs too

5 .

Glucagon is a hormone which means it is transported in the...

urine

blood

intestines

faeces

Hormones are the chemical messengers of the body

6 .

The target organ for glucagon is the...

pancreas

brain

lungs

liver

It stimulates the liver to break down the glycogen to glucose which passes into the bloodstream

7 .

Glucagon is released...

immediately after a meal

20 minutes after eating

during starvation

when asleep

When we starve, glucose levels in the blood fall and this is the trigger for the release of glucagon

8 .

Insulin and glucagon control blood glucose and this is an example of...

homiothermy

homeostasis

homozygosity

Homo sapiens

When the level of blood sugar falls outside of the normal levels, it can eventually be fatal

9 .

Glucagon is synthesised within cells of the...

liver

pancreas

muscles

blood

The pancreas is about 15 cm long and fits across the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach and below the liver. It opens into the duodenum (small intestine)

10 .

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant...

internal environment

heredity

blood volume

hormone level

Control of blood glucose is only one example of homeostasis. There are many more including thermoregulation and osmoregulation

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Maintaining internal environments

Author: Donna Davidson (GCSE Biology Teacher & Examiner, Quiz Writer)