In the flow chart for regulating blood glucose, which organ acts as the receptor?

In the flow chart for regulating blood glucose, which organ acts as the receptor?

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

Answer: (B)

Receptors are the sensors that detect a change in the internal environment and trigger a response. In blood glucose regulation, specialized cells in the pancreas monitor the level of glucose in the blood and respond by releasing hormones (insulin when glucose is high, glucagon when it’s low). That sensing and signaling role is why the pancreas is the receptor in this flow chart. The liver then acts as the target organ that changes glucose storage or release in response to those hormones. The brain can influence regulation, but it isn’t the primary glucose-sensing receptor in this diagram, and the kidneys aren’t the sensing receptors for glucose balance.

Receptors are the sensors that detect a change in the internal environment and trigger a response. In blood glucose regulation, specialized cells in the pancreas monitor the level of glucose in the blood and respond by releasing hormones (insulin when glucose is high, glucagon when it’s low). That sensing and signaling role is why the pancreas is the receptor in this flow chart. The liver then acts as the target organ that changes glucose storage or release in response to those hormones. The brain can influence regulation, but it isn’t the primary glucose-sensing receptor in this diagram, and the kidneys aren’t the sensing receptors for glucose balance.