Glucose falls below normal

• If the glucose concentration fall below normal, the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans detect the decrease and respond by secreting glucagon into the blood
• Glucagon:

  • stimulates the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver and muscles
• Glucose is released into the blood which causes the glucose concentration to increase
• The increase in the glucose concentration is detected by the alpha cells which inhibit the secretion of glucagon
• Insulin and glucagon are antagonistic hormones as they have opposite effects in the body