The hormone which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood is called?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which hormone regulates blood glucose level. Think of the pancreas and sugar control.

Step 2: Explain the concept Blood glucose is kept within a narrow range (about 70-110 mg/100 ml) by a process called homeostasis. The pancreas (the islets of Langerhans) produces two hormones that do this job:

• Insulin (from beta cells): when blood sugar is high, it makes the liver and muscles convert glucose to glycogen and helps cells take up glucose, so blood sugar falls.
• Glucagon (from alpha cells): when blood sugar is low, it makes the liver convert glycogen back to glucose, so blood sugar rises.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Adrenalin: Released in "fight or flight" situations. It does raise blood glucose temporarily, but its main role is preparing the body for emergencies, not regular regulation.
• B. Auxin: A plant hormone that controls growth (e.g., phototropism). It is not found in animals.
• C. Insulin: The main hormone that regulates and lowers blood glucose. This is the correct answer.
• D. Thyroxine: Produced by the thyroid gland, it controls metabolic rate. It is not responsible for glucose regulation.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. Insulin.

Exam tip: Remember "Insulin Is for Incoming sugar into cells", meaning it lowers blood sugar. A lack of insulin causes diabetes mellitus, a favourite topic in JAMB and WASSCE. Also remember that auxin always points to plants.