Insulin causes ?
**Core Concept**
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas, playing a crucial role in glucose homeostasis. It promotes the uptake of glucose by cells, inhibits glucose production in the liver, and facilitates the storage of glucose as glycogen. Additionally, insulin stimulates the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol, a process known as lipogenesis.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Insulin induces lipogenesis by activating key enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis. The hormone stimulates the expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a crucial enzyme responsible for the conversion of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA, a precursor for fatty acid synthesis. Insulin also activates the enzyme fatty acid synthase (FAS), which catalyzes the formation of fatty acids from acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA. This results in increased lipogenesis and the storage of excess energy as triglycerides.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Inhibition of glycolysis is actually caused by glucagon, not insulin. Glucagon stimulates the enzyme phosphofructokinase-2 (PFK-2), which inhibits the glycolytic pathway.
**Option B:** Gluconeogenesis is inhibited by insulin, not stimulated. Insulin decreases the expression of key enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis, such as glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK).
**Option D:** Increased glycogenolysis is also inhibited by insulin. Insulin stimulates the enzyme glycogen synthase, which promotes glycogen synthesis, and inhibits the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase, which breaks down glycogen.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Insulin's role in lipogenesis is a critical aspect of glucose homeostasis. When insulin levels are high, such as after a meal, it promotes the storage of excess energy as fat. Conversely, when insulin levels are low, such as during fasting, the body breaks down stored fat for energy.
**β Correct Answer: C. Induction of lipogenesis**