Which hormone does the pancreas secrete that enables glucose to enter cells and stores excess as glycogen?

• A. Glucagon
• B. Insulin
• C. Cortisol
• D. Aldosterone

Answer: (B)

Insulin is the hormone from the pancreas that makes glucose enter cells and promotes its storage as glycogen. It’s released by the beta cells and signals muscle and fat cells to take in glucose by moving GLUT4 transporters to the cell surface. In the liver and muscles, insulin also stimulates glycogenesis, converting the absorbed glucose into glycogen for storage. This action lowers blood glucose after meals and builds energy reserves for later use.

The other options don’t fit this mechanism: glucagon raises blood sugar by signaling the liver to break down glycogen and produce glucose; cortisol increases glucose production during stress; aldosterone mainly regulates sodium and water balance rather than glucose metabolism.