Endocrine physiology: insulin: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Endocrine physiology: insulin

Sample item

In skeletal muscle, insulin increases glucose uptake primarily by which mechanism?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Translocation of GLUT4 to the cell membrane

Insulin promotes GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, increasing glucose uptake. It also stimulates glycogen, lipid, and protein synthesis.

Option by option

  • A. Activation of GLUT2 only

    GLUT2 is found in liver, pancreatic beta cells, kidney, and intestine.

  • B. Translocation of GLUT4 to the cell membrane (correct)

    Correct. GLUT4 is the insulin-responsive transporter in muscle and adipose tissue.

  • C. Inhibition of glycogen synthase

    Insulin activates rather than inhibits glycogen synthase.

  • D. Opening voltage-gated calcium channels

    Calcium channels are not the principal glucose-uptake mechanism.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is B, Translocation of GLUT4 to the cell membrane. Insulin promotes GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, increasing glucose uptake.

Why is "Activation of GLUT2 only" not the answer?

GLUT2 is found in liver, pancreatic beta cells, kidney, and intestine.

Why is "Inhibition of glycogen synthase" not the answer?

Insulin activates rather than inhibits glycogen synthase.

Why is "Opening voltage-gated calcium channels" not the answer?

Calcium channels are not the principal glucose-uptake mechanism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine physiology: insulin in Physiology. It also stimulates glycogen, lipid, and protein synthesis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrine physiology: insulin?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.