insulin

[in-suh-lin, ins-yuh-] /ˈɪn sə lɪn, ˈɪns yə-/
noun
1.
Biochemistry. a polypeptide hormone, produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas, that regulates the metabolism of glucose and other nutrients.
2.
Pharmacology. any of several commercial preparations of this substance, each of which allows a particular rate of absorption into the system: genetically engineered or obtained from the pig or ox pancreas, and used in the treatment of diabetes to restore the normal ability of the body to utilize sugars and other carbohydrates.
Origin
1910-15; insul(a) + -in2
Examples from the web for insulin
  • We've had lab work done twice and already adjusted my insulin injections and other meds twice.
  • Unlike carbohydrates made up of glucose, fructose does not stimulate the pancreas into producing insulin.
  • insulin is a hormone that helps the body turn blood sugar into energy.
  • Anyone who is diabetic-or knows a diabetic-recognizes the importance of insulin.
  • Diabetes, for example, is fundamentally a chemical problem: cells can't use the molecule insulin.
  • Diabetes is basically a disease where patients have an inability to make insulin.
  • Unsatisfied with his medical treatment, he stopped taking insulin injections and crafted his own diet and supplement program.
  • insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar.
  • And on top of that, we'll have to stop diabetics from taking their insulin cause their insulin use to come from pigs.
  • The embryonic pancreas was incapable of secreting insulin and other hormones by itself.
British Dictionary definitions for insulin

insulin

/ˈɪnsjʊlɪn/
noun
1.
a protein hormone, secreted in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, that controls the concentration of glucose in the blood. Insulin deficiency results in diabetes mellitus
Word Origin
C20: from New Latin insula islet (of the pancreas) + -in
Word Origin and History for insulin
n.

1922 (earlier insuline, 1914), coined in English from Latin insula "island," so called because the hormone is secreted by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insuline was coined independently in French in 1909.

insulin in Medicine

insulin in·su·lin (ĭn'sə-lĭn)
n.

  1. A polypeptide hormone that is secreted by the islets of Langerhans, helps regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, especially the conversion of glucose to glycogen, and promotes protein synthesis and the formation and storage of neutral lipids.

  2. Any of various pharmaceutical preparations containing this hormone that are derived from the pancreas of certain animals or produced through genetic engineering and are used parenterally in the medical treatment and management of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

insulin in Science
insulin
  (ĭn'sə-lĭn)   

  1. A hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood by stimulating cells, especially liver and muscle cells, to absorb and metabolize glucose. Insulin also stimulates the conversion of blood glucose into glycogen and fat, which are the body's chief sources of stored carbohydrates.

  2. A drug containing this hormone, obtained from the pancreas of animals or produced synthetically and used to treat diabetes.


insulin in Culture
insulin [(in-suh-lin, in-syuh-lin)]

A hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates the levels of sugar in the blood.

Note: Persons suffering from diabetes mellitus may receive periodic or daily injections of insulin as a treatment for the disease.