insulin
Definition
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar for energy. It is made by the pancreas, a small organ in the abdomen.
Insulin helps to move sugar from the blood into the cells, where it can be used for energy. When the body does not make enough insulin, or when the body's cells do not respond to insulin properly, it can cause a condition called diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to many health problems, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease.
How can the word be used?
The doctor prescribed insulin injections for the patient with diabetes.
Different forms of the word
Noun: Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and helps the body use glucose for energy.
Adjective: Insulin dependent means that a person needs to take insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels. For example, people with type 1 diabetes are insulin dependent.
Etymology
The word "insulin" comes from the Latin word "insula", which means "island". This is because the islets of Langerhans, which produce insulin, are found in the pancreas, which is an organ that is shaped like an island.
Question
What is insulin used for?