Which organ works to regulate blood glucose by producing hormones?

• A. Pancreas
• B. Liver
• C. Kidney
• D. Thyroid

Answer: (A)

Blood glucose is kept in balance by hormones produced by an endocrine organ, the pancreas. The pancreas houses islets of Langerhans, with beta cells that secrete insulin and alpha cells that secrete glucagon. Insulin lowers blood glucose by helping cells take up glucose and by promoting its storage as glycogen in the liver and muscles. When glucose is scarce, glucagon prompts the liver to break down glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream. This hormonal system keeps blood sugar within a narrow range. Other organs don’t produce these specific glucose-regulating hormones—the liver mainly stores and releases glucose in response to insulin and glucagon, the kidneys manage glucose reabsorption, and the thyroid affects overall metabolism rather than directly regulating blood glucose via insulin and glucagon.