Which hormone is secreted by the pancreas in response to low blood glucose and raises blood glucose by stimulating the liver to break down glycogen?

• A. Glucagon
• B. Insulin
• C. Epinephrine
• D. Norepinephrine

Answer: (A)

When glucose levels drop, the pancreas releases a hormone from its alpha cells. This hormone acts mainly on the liver, signaling it to break down stored glycogen into glucose and, to a lesser extent, to produce new glucose from other sources. The result is a rise in blood glucose back toward normal levels. This hormone works to elevate glucose, opposite to insulin, which lowers glucose by helping cells take in and store it. While other hormones like adrenaline can raise blood sugar, they come from the adrenal glands, not the pancreas, so they aren’t the pancreatic hormone described in the scenario.