Pancreatic hormone (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: INSULIN (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Pancreatic hormone" with 7 letters is "INSULIN".Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels by allowing cells to absorb and use glucose. It is essential for energy metabolism, and a deficiency or malfunction of insulin leads to diabetes.
Why “Insulin” Fits
The clue asks for a 7-letter word naming a “pancreatic hormone.” The answer, INSULIN, fits perfectly:
- Pancreatic hormone: "Insulin" is the main hormone produced by the pancreas, specifically by the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. It is essential for controlling blood glucose levels by enabling cells to absorb and use glucose for energy.
- Direct match: When people refer to "the pancreatic hormone," insulin is the first and most important that comes to mind, making it an optimal answer for this clue.
This precise scientific term fits both the clue’s medical context and the crossword grid.
Insulin underpins foundational biology and medicine:
- Origin: Discovered in the early 20th century, insulin revolutionized the treatment of diabetes. It is the key hormone in glucose metabolism, balancing sugar intake, storage, and utilization in the body.
- How it works: After eating, insulin is released into the bloodstream in response to rising blood sugar. It helps transport glucose from the blood into cells and signals the liver to store glucose as glycogen.
- Medical importance: Insufficient insulin (or resistance to its action) leads to diabetes, making its function and production critical for human health.
“Insulin” bridges the clue’s demand for specificity, scientific accuracy, and universal relevance.
In quick crosswords, clues like “pancreatic hormone (7)”:
- Target well-known biological terms—"insulin," "glucagon," "somatostatin."
- The answer length (7) and the clue’s emphasis on a singular, essential hormone make "insulin" the only logical fill.
- Health and biology clues usually require the most fundamental and widely recognized term for a function or condition.
Spotting these hints leads swiftly to “insulin.”