Question

Why is glucagon called Hg-factor?

Answer 1

Glucagon:

1. Glucagon is a hormone secreted by the beta cells of islets of Langerhans in the kidney.
2. It is responsible for increasing blood sugar levels, hence inducing the conversion of glucose from glycogen.
3. Hence, it is involved in carbohydrate metabolism.
4. Glucagon is responsible to activate the adenylyl cyclase enzyme that is involved in the conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP.
5. Conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP activates phosphorylase b kinase that further activates phosphorylase b to give rise to phosphorylase a.
6. Due to this, the release of glucose 1-phosphate is induced by the catabolic breakdown of glycogen from the liver known as the process of glycogenolysis.
7. Glucose-1-phosphate is used to produce free glucose where the blood glucose level is low.
8. Therefore, glucagon is also called the hyperglycemic (high glucose) factor or the HG-factor as it plays a role in increasing blood sugar contents.