Which of the following will be present in a blood sample of a person fasting for 24 hours?
High levels of glucagon, low levels of insulin
A blood sample taken from a person who is fasting will have high levels of glucagon and low levels of insulin. Digestion and absorption of food increase the level of glucose in the blood. Hence, after a meal, insulin is released to utilise the glucose for the generation of energy and convert the rest of the glucose to glycogen and store it in the liver or muscles. But in the case of fasting, there is a decrease in the glucose and hence the person feels dizzy due to lack of energy. Glucagon from alpha cells then releases the glucose from glycogen stored in the liver. When glucose levels decrease between meals or during periods of fasting and exercise, the liver secretes glucose into the blood.