What is the primary function of insulin in the body?

The primary function of insulin in the body is to regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells. Insulin, which is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, plays a crucial role in glucose homeostasis. When blood glucose levels rise after eating, insulin is released into the bloodstream. It enables glucose to enter various tissues, particularly muscle and adipose tissues, where it can be used for energy or stored as glycogen for later use. This action helps lower blood glucose levels to a normal range, thus preventing hyperglycemia.

In addition to glucose uptake, insulin also regulates various metabolic processes, including fat storage and protein synthesis. Its overall effect is to encourage the storage of nutrients and reduce the availability of glucose in the bloodstream when it’s no longer needed for immediate energy use.

The other options pertain to different hormonal or metabolic processes. For instance, stimulating the production of thyroid hormones is primarily the role of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) rather than insulin. Increasing metabolic rate is mostly governed by thyroid hormones as well, particularly thyroxine, not insulin. Lastly, regulating calcium levels in the blood is primarily managed by parathyroid hormone and calcitonin, and not insulin. Thus, insulin’s central role