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GCSE Biology · key term
A hormone released by the pancreas when blood glucose is too low; it causes stored glycogen to be converted to glucose and released into the blood.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.5.3.2 · Paper 2
Revise: Blood Glucose ControlIf blood glucose becomes too low, the pancreas releases glucagon. Glucagon causes stored glycogen to be converted back into glucose, which is released into the blood. Blood glucose concentration therefore rises.
Specification 7.14 · Paper 2
A hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose concentration is too low; it causes liver cells to convert stored glycogen into glucose.
For negative feedback, state both the change detected and how the response opposes it. Glucagon is Higher Tier only.
Write the sequence in causal order: low blood glucose concentration → pancreas secretes glucagon → glucagon travels in the blood to the liver → glycogen is converted into glucose → glucose enters the blood → blood glucose concentration rises.
Do not confuse glucagon, glucose and glycogen. Glucagon is a hormone; glucose is a soluble sugar carried in the blood; glycogen is the storage carbohydrate broken down in liver cells.
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One hormone involved is glucagon, which corrects a fall in blood glucose concentration.
Specification B3.3d · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
A hormone released by the pancreas when blood glucose is too low; it helps raise blood glucose.
Revise: Glucagon and blood sugarThe pancreas detects the fall and releases glucagon into the blood. Glucagon acts on the liver, causing stored glycogen to be converted back into glucose. The liver releases this glucose into the blood, so blood glucose rises towards its normal level.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A hormone released by the pancreas when blood glucose concentration is too low; it raises the concentration by stimulating the conversion of stored glycogen into glucose in the liver.
Revise: Glucagon and InsulinThe pancreas detects the fall and releases more glucagon.