What does insulin do in the body?

Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels in the body. Its primary function is to decrease blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into the cells, particularly muscle and fat cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for future use. When blood glucose levels rise after eating, insulin is secreted by the pancreas in response to help lower those levels, ensuring homeostasis.

In terms of its specific actions, insulin enables the cells to take in glucose, which reduces the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream. Additionally, insulin promotes the storage of excess glucose in the liver as glycogen, further contributing to the reduction of blood glucose levels. This mechanism is critical in the management of conditions such as diabetes, where insulin production or function is impaired.

The other options presented relate to either actions that are contrary to the role of insulin or functions that are not directly associated with insulin's primary purpose in glucose metabolism. Thus, the understanding of insulin's role as a key hormone in lowering blood glucose is fundamental to grasping its importance in everyday physiological processes and diabetes management.