AEMCA Practice Exam

What would most likely decrease in the body if the pancreas could not release glucagon?

1. Blood glucose levels

2. Insulin levels

3. Metabolic rate

4. Cholesterol levels

The correct answer is: Blood glucose levels

If the pancreas could not release glucagon, blood glucose levels would most likely decrease. Glucagon is a hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas that plays a critical role in regulating blood sugar levels. It helps raise blood glucose levels by promoting the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver and stimulating gluconeogenesis, which is the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. In the absence of glucagon, the body's ability to mobilize glucose into the bloodstream would be significantly impaired. This would likely lead to lower blood sugar levels, especially in fasting states or between meals when insulin is typically low. As a result, glucagon's primary function is essential for maintaining adequate blood sugar levels, particularly during periods when the body requires energy. While the other options might reflect changes in various physiological processes, they do not directly relate to the immediate impact of reduced glucagon secretion as clearly as blood glucose levels do. For example, insulin levels may not necessarily decrease since they are regulated independently and can be influenced by other factors. Similarly, metabolic rate and cholesterol levels are influenced by a broader range of hormones and dietary factors, but blood glucose levels are specifically and directly influenced by glucagon.