Qualified Medication Assistant (QMA) Insulin Practice Exam

The organ that regulates blood sugar levels is the pancreas. This gland plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism by producing insulin and glucagon, two hormones that control the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. When blood sugar levels are elevated after you eat, the pancreas releases insulin, which facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells for energy and helps to lower the blood sugar level. Conversely, when blood sugar levels drop, the pancreas secretes glucagon, which triggers the release of stored glucose from the liver into the bloodstream to raise blood sugar levels.

This balance is essential for maintaining homeostasis in the body. The pancreas's ability to respond to fluctuations in blood sugar levels directly influences overall metabolic health, making it a key player in glucose regulation. Other organs like the liver, while involved in glucose storage and release, do not regulate blood sugar levels in the same active manner as the pancreas. The heart and kidneys have different primary functions unrelated to the direct control of blood sugar levels. This emphasis on the pancreas highlights its critical role in diabetes management and metabolic health.