Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which of the following hormones is primarily involved in blood glucose regulation?

1. Thyroxine

2. Cortisol

3. Insulin

4. Adrenaline

The correct answer is: Insulin

The hormone primarily involved in blood glucose regulation is insulin. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose levels, such as after eating. Its main function is to facilitate the uptake of glucose by cells, allowing them to use glucose for energy or store it for future use, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. In addition to its role in glucose metabolism, insulin also helps regulate lipids and proteins. This multifaceted approach helps maintain homeostasis in the body's energy balance. Without adequate insulin production or response, as seen in conditions like diabetes mellitus, blood glucose levels can become dangerously high, leading to serious health complications. Other hormones mentioned, such as thyroxine, cortisol, and adrenaline, play varying roles in metabolism and stress response but are not primarily tasked with the regulation of blood glucose levels in the way insulin is. Thyroxine influences overall metabolism, cortisol is involved in the body's response to stress and can increase blood glucose during stress situations, and adrenaline prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses, which can temporarily increase blood glucose levels but are not focused on regulation under normal conditions. Thus, insulin's crucial role in directly managing blood glucose levels makes it the key hormone in this process.