Does insulin promote glycogenesis or glycogenolysis?

Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating glucose metabolism, and one of its primary functions is to promote glycogenesis. Glycogenesis is the process by which glucose is converted into glycogen for storage in the liver and muscle tissues. When blood glucose levels rise, such as after a meal, insulin is released from the pancreas and functions to enhance the uptake of glucose into cells and stimulate the conversion of excess glucose into glycogen.

This action is vital for maintaining blood glucose homeostasis; by promoting glycogenesis, insulin effectively lowers blood glucose levels after meals. The hormone facilitates this process by activating glycogen synthase, the key enzyme responsible for converting glucose into glycogen, while simultaneously inhibiting glycogenolysis, which is the breakdown of glycogen back into glucose.

Thus, the correct understanding is that insulin primarily endorses glycogenesis, enabling the body to store energy efficiently when glucose is available.