Endocrinology: pancreatic hormone response to protein: 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 · Endocrinology: pancreatic hormone response to protein

Sample item

A healthy adult eats a meal of pure protein. Insulin secretion rises, yet plasma glucose does not fall. Which response prevents hypoglycaemia?

AAmino acids also stimulate glucagon release, supporting hepatic glucose outputBAmino acids inhibit insulin action at the liver directlyCAmino acids stimulate somatostatin to block all hepatic uptakeDAmino acids release adrenaline from the adrenal medulla

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Amino acids also stimulate glucagon release, supporting hepatic glucose output

Amino acids such as arginine and alanine stimulate both beta cells and alpha cells. Insulin promotes amino acid uptake by muscle, while the accompanying glucagon maintains hepatic gluconeogenesis and glucose output, so blood glucose is stable after a protein meal.

Option by option

A. Amino acids also stimulate glucagon release, supporting hepatic glucose output (correct)
Correct. Glucagon released with insulin balances glucose output at the liver after protein.
B. Amino acids inhibit insulin action at the liver directly
Amino acids do not block insulin action at the liver directly, and glucagon is the balancing hormone.
C. Amino acids stimulate somatostatin to block all hepatic uptake
Somatostatin lowers the secretion of both pancreatic hormones and does not block hepatic uptake of glucose.
D. Amino acids release adrenaline from the adrenal medulla
Adrenaline release is a response to hypoglycaemia and not to a protein meal.

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.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Amino acids also stimulate glucagon release, supporting hepatic glucose output. Amino acids such as arginine and alanine stimulate both beta cells and alpha cells.

Why is "Amino acids inhibit insulin action at the liver directly" not the answer?

Amino acids do not block insulin action at the liver directly, and glucagon is the balancing hormone.

Why is "Amino acids stimulate somatostatin to block all hepatic uptake" not the answer?

Somatostatin lowers the secretion of both pancreatic hormones and does not block hepatic uptake of glucose.

Why is "Amino acids release adrenaline from the adrenal medulla" not the answer?

Adrenaline release is a response to hypoglycaemia and not to a protein meal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: pancreatic hormone response to protein in Physiology. Insulin promotes amino acid uptake by muscle, while the accompanying glucagon maintains hepatic gluconeogenesis and glucose output, so blood glucose is stable after a protein meal.

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 Endocrinology: pancreatic hormone response to protein?

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.