how blood sugar levels are maintained

• (Hyperglycaemia):

  • After eating a meal, blood sugar levels tend to rise. In response to this, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream.
  • Insulin helps lower blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake of glucose from the blood into cells, where it can be used for energy or stored as glycogen.
• Hypoglycaemia:

  • Blood sugar levels may decrease between meals or during increased physical activity.
  • In this case, the pancreas releases glucagon into the bloodstream.
  • Glucagon signals the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose, which is released into the blood, increasing blood sugar levels.
• Negative Feedback Mechanism:

  • The control of blood sugar levels operates through a negative feedback mechanism.
  • This means that the body's response to a change in blood sugar levels is designed to counteract and reverse that change, bringing the levels back to normal.
• Negative Feedback Mechanism


  1. You eat a meal

  2. Blood sugar levels rise

  3. Pancreas secretes insulin

  4. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells

  5. Blood sugar levels decrease

  6. Pancreas reduces insulin secretion
• Negative Feedback Mechanism


  1. Blood sugar levels decrease

  2. Pancreas releases glucagon

  3. Liver releases stored glucose into bloodstream

  4. Blood sugar levels restored

  5. Pancreas decreases glucagon production
• Example of Negative Feedback Mechanism:

  • When you eat a meal, your blood sugar levels rise. In response to this increase, the pancreas secretes insulin to lower blood sugar levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells.
  • As blood sugar levels decrease due to the action of insulin, the pancreas reduces insulin secretion, preventing blood sugar from dropping too low..
• Example of Negative Feedback Mechanism:

  • On the other hand, when you are between meals or during physical activity, blood sugar levels may decrease. The pancreas releases glucagon, signalling the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, raising blood sugar levels back to normal.
  • Once blood sugar levels are restored, the pancreas decreases glucagon production.