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What response does insulin stimulate in muscles when blood glucose levels are high?
Retention of glucose
Removal of glucose from the blood
Production of glycogen
Release of glucose into the bloodstream
The correct answer is: Removal of glucose from the blood
When blood glucose levels are high, insulin plays a crucial role in regulating glucose metabolism in the body. One of the primary functions of insulin is to facilitate the uptake of glucose into the muscle cells. This process not only helps to lower the amount of glucose in the bloodstream but also allows the muscle cells to utilize glucose for energy or store it for future use. Insulin binds to receptors on muscle cells, which triggers a series of biochemical processes that increase the permeability of these cells to glucose. As a result, more glucose is removed from the bloodstream and transported into the muscle cells. This action is essential for maintaining homeostasis and preventing hyperglycemia, a condition characterized by excessively high blood sugar levels. Additionally, once inside the muscle cells, glucose can be converted into glycogen, the storage form of glucose, particularly when there is an abundance of glucose available. This conversion process highlights the dual effect of insulin in not just promoting the removal of glucose from the bloodstream but also helping to prepare the body for energy demands in the future. Therefore, the response that insulin stimulates in muscles during high blood glucose levels is effectively the removal of glucose from the blood, enabling better regulation of blood sugar levels and energy management in the body.