What mechanism does the body use to maintain glucose concentration balance?

The body employs negative feedback mechanisms to maintain glucose concentration balance. This process ensures that when glucose levels rise after meals, insulin is released from the pancreas. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells and its storage as glycogen in the liver and muscle, effectively reducing blood glucose levels. Conversely, when glucose levels fall, such as during fasting or intense physical activity, the body responds by releasing glucagon, which prompts the liver to release stored glucose back into the bloodstream. This dynamic interplay between insulin and glucagon allows the body to maintain homeostasis, keeping blood sugar levels within a narrow range.

While positive feedback amplifies a physiological response and is not typically involved in maintaining balance, hormonal signaling is indeed part of the process but is insufficient as a standalone mechanism since it must be regulated by feedback systems. Afferent signaling, which involves the sensory pathways that detect changes in the body, plays a role in signaling but does not directly regulate glucose concentration on its own, further supporting the importance of negative feedback in this context.