The nurse educator is reviewing the functions of insulin with a group of new graduate nurses. She asks the nurses what the primary function of insulin is. The nurses should respond that insulin

A. Converts glycogen to glucose: The process of converting glycogen to glucose is known as glycogenolysis, and it occurs in the liver. This is actually stimulated by glucagon, not insulin. Insulin works to lower blood sugar levels by facilitating glucose uptake. B. Stimulates the breakdown of adipose tissue: Insulin actually prevents the breakdown of adipose tissue. It promotes fat storage by inhibiting lipolysis (fat breakdown). It is glucagon and other hormones that stimulate fat breakdown during fasting states. C. Stimulates active transport of glucose into muscle and adipose tissue cells: The primary function of insulin is to facilitate the uptake of glucose into muscle and adipose tissue cells by stimulating glucose transporters on the cell membrane. This helps lower blood glucose levels. D. Increases the breakdown of protein into amino acids: Insulin has an anabolic effect on protein metabolism, meaning it promotes protein synthesis and inhibits the breakdown of proteins into amino acids. Glucagon is more involved in protein catabolism during fasting states.