glucagon

[ gloo-kuh-gon ]
/ ˈglu kəˌgɒn /

noun Biochemistry.

a hormone secreted by the pancreas that acts in opposition to insulin in the regulation of blood glucose levels.

Origin of glucagon

1923; probably gluc- + Greek ágōn present participle of ágein to lead, drive; see -agogue

Words nearby glucagon

gloxinia, gloze, glu, glubb, gluc-, glucagon, glucagonoma, glucan, glucaric acid, glucide, glucinum

Example sentences from the Web for glucagon

British Dictionary definitions for glucagon

glucagon
/ (ˈɡluːkəˌɡɒn, -ɡən) /

noun

a polypeptide hormone, produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, that stimulates the release of glucose into the blood Compare insulin

Word Origin for glucagon

C20: from gluc ( ose) + -agon, perhaps from Greek agein to lead

Medical definitions for glucagon

glucagon
[ glōō′kə-gŏn′ ]

n.

A polypeptide hormone secreted by alpha cells that initiates a rise in blood sugar levels by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen by the liver.

Scientific definitions for glucagon

glucagon
[ glōō′kə-gŏn′ ]

A polypeptide hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates an increase in blood glucose levels, thus opposing the action of insulin.