Need help with Insulin's role and glucose uptake?

[mom4jesus]

I am so confused about this. I know that I am making it harder than what it is but... I am in A&P 2 and we are covering the endocrine system. We talked about insulin yesterday. I was under the impression that insulin helped in the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into certain target cells such as muscle cells where it is used and utilized as energy and then if there is any excess glucose it is converted into glycogen in the liver and stored in the adipose tissue. My instructor said that insulin is only used in storage and doesn't help the cell uptake glucose for utilization. This is driving me nuts. I keep researching and finding things that seem like I am right. Is insulin only used in storage of glucose? Or does it help in the uptake and utiliazation of glucose by muscle tissue?

[vashtee, RN]

Insulin acts on cells thoughout the body to stimulate uptake, utilization and storage of glucose. Perhaps you and your instructor are misunderstanding each other? Try clicking on this link and check out the sections on the endocrine system. I haven't looked at them all, but they may be helpful. http://health.discovery.com/tools/blausen/blausen.html

[mom4jesus]

I asked him about it and he said that it is used only for storage and not for utilization. I also asked about insulin resistance and he said it must be that a person can't store glucose and then that would be more glucose in the blood causing blood sugar levels to go up. Maybe I need to talk to him again or should I just let it slide .

[vashtee, RN]

That depends... how much more time do you have to spend with him? Will he be annoyed that you are pointing out he is wrong?

I'd probably just move on. And as I understand it, he is right about the inability to store glucose properly. I just think his explanation is incomplete.