<P> As a meal containing carbohydrates or protein is eaten and digested , blood glucose levels rise , and the pancreas secretes insulin . Blood glucose from the portal vein enters liver cells ( hepatocytes ) . Insulin acts on the hepatocytes to stimulate the action of several enzymes , including glycogen synthase . Glucose molecules are added to the chains of glycogen as long as both insulin and glucose remain plentiful . In this postprandial or `` fed '' state , the liver takes in more glucose from the blood than it releases . </P>
<P> As a meal containing carbohydrates or protein is eaten and digested , blood glucose levels rise , and the pancreas secretes insulin . Blood glucose from the portal vein enters liver cells ( hepatocytes ) . Insulin acts on the hepatocytes to stimulate the action of several enzymes , including glycogen synthase . Glucose molecules are added to the chains of glycogen as long as both insulin and glucose remain plentiful . In this postprandial or `` fed '' state , the liver takes in more glucose from the blood than it releases . </P>
where does glucose released into the blood end up
where does glucose released into the blood end up
liver cells ( hepatocytes )
liver cells ( hepatocytes )