Which description best fits insulin?

Prepare for the PLTW Biomedical Science Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which description best fits insulin?

Explanation:
Insulin is a protein hormone and a signaling molecule. It’s a peptide produced by pancreatic beta cells, made of amino acids, not a lipid, nucleic acid, or carbohydrate. As a signaling molecule, it travels in the bloodstream and binds to insulin receptors on target cells, triggering a cascade that promotes glucose uptake (notably by muscle and fat cells) and storage as glycogen or fat. This combination of being a peptide-based hormone and acting as a signaling messenger is what best describes insulin, rather than anything lipid, nucleic acid, or carbohydrate.

Insulin is a protein hormone and a signaling molecule. It’s a peptide produced by pancreatic beta cells, made of amino acids, not a lipid, nucleic acid, or carbohydrate. As a signaling molecule, it travels in the bloodstream and binds to insulin receptors on target cells, triggering a cascade that promotes glucose uptake (notably by muscle and fat cells) and storage as glycogen or fat. This combination of being a peptide-based hormone and acting as a signaling messenger is what best describes insulin, rather than anything lipid, nucleic acid, or carbohydrate.

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