High School

In hypoglycemia, the Ca²⁺ entry into the pancreatic alpha cells drives __________ release.

a. Glucagon
b. Insulin
c. Pancreatic juice
d. a and b
e. a, b, and c

Answer :

In hypoglycemia, the Ca²⁺ entry into the pancreatic alpha cells drives a) glucagon release.

In hypoglycemia, the Ca2+ entry into the pancreatic alpha cells drives glucagon release. This is because the hormone glucagon is produced and secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas in response to low blood glucose levels. Glucagon's primary role is to stimulate mechanisms that increase blood glucose levels. An example of this is the catabolism of glycogen into glucose, primarily occurring in the liver.

Therefore, when there is a drop in blood glucose, Ca2+ channels open, allowing calcium ions to enter the pancreatic alpha cells and trigger the secretion of glucagon to help elevate blood glucose levels back to normal. The correct option, in this case, is 'a. Glucagon' because glucagon is the specific hormone released from alpha cells during hypoglycemia to counteract low blood sugar by stimulating glycogen breakdown and raising blood glucose concentrations.