glucagon

views updated May 23 2018

glucagon A hormone secreted by the α‐cells of the pancreas which causes an increase in blood sugar by increasing the breakdown of liver glycogen and stimulating the synthesis of glucose from amino acids.

glucagon

views updated May 29 2018

glucagon A polypeptide hormone secreted by the alpha-cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. By stimulating glycogenolysis (the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver), it increases the level of glucose in the blood. Thus its function is antagonistic to insulin.

glucagon

views updated May 18 2018

glucagon A hormone, secreted by the α (or A) cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, that increases the concentration of glucose in the blood by stimulating the metabolic breakdown of glycogen. It thus antagonizes the effects of insulin (see antagonism).

glucagon

views updated Jun 27 2018

glu·ca·gon / ˈgloōkəˌgän/ • n. Biochem. a hormone formed in the pancreas that promotes the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver.

glucagon

views updated May 23 2018

glucagon (gloo-kă-gon) n. a hormone, produced by the pancreas, that causes an increase in the blood sugar level. Glucagon is administered by injection to counteract diabetic hypoglycaemia.