Endocrinology: exercise and glucose uptake: 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: exercise and glucose uptake

Sample item

During prolonged moderate exercise, glucose uptake by working skeletal muscle rises even though plasma insulin falls. What explains the increased uptake?

AInsulin-independent GLUT2 insertion in the muscle membraneBContraction-induced translocation of GLUT4 to the muscle membrane, independent of insulinCGlucagon-stimulated glucose entry into myocytesDRise in muscle GLUT1 through catecholamine action alone

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Contraction-induced translocation of GLUT4 to the muscle membrane, independent of insulin

Muscle contraction, through AMP-activated kinase and calcium signals, moves GLUT4 vesicles to the sarcolemma without insulin. This allows working muscle to take up glucose while insulin is low, helping to prevent hypoglycaemia in exercise as the liver releases glucose.

Option by option

A. Insulin-independent GLUT2 insertion in the muscle membrane
GLUT2 is the liver and beta cell transporter and is not the muscle transporter in this response.
B. Contraction-induced translocation of GLUT4 to the muscle membrane, independent of insulin (correct)
Correct. Contraction recruits GLUT4 to the membrane by an insulin-independent pathway.
C. Glucagon-stimulated glucose entry into myocytes
Glucagon acts on the liver and does not promote glucose uptake into muscle.
D. Rise in muscle GLUT1 through catecholamine action alone
Basal GLUT1 is not increased by catecholamines to produce this response.

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 B, Contraction-induced translocation of GLUT4 to the muscle membrane, independent of insulin. Muscle contraction, through AMP-activated kinase and calcium signals, moves GLUT4 vesicles to the sarcolemma without insulin.

Why is "Insulin-independent GLUT2 insertion in the muscle membrane" not the answer?

GLUT2 is the liver and beta cell transporter and is not the muscle transporter in this response.

Why is "Glucagon-stimulated glucose entry into myocytes" not the answer?

Glucagon acts on the liver and does not promote glucose uptake into muscle.

Why is "Rise in muscle GLUT1 through catecholamine action alone" not the answer?

Basal GLUT1 is not increased by catecholamines to produce this response.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: exercise and glucose uptake in Physiology. This allows working muscle to take up glucose while insulin is low, helping to prevent hypoglycaemia in exercise as the liver releases glucose.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: exercise and glucose uptake?

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.