insulin
UK: ˈɪnsjʊlɪn | US: ˈɪnsəlɪn
n. a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels by promoting the absorption of sugar into cells.
insulin = insul<island> + in<chemical suffix>
- insul (from Latin insula, meaning "island")
- in (a chemical suffix used to form names of substances, such as proteins or hormones)
Etymology Origin:
The word "insulin" derives from the Latin insula ("island") because the hormone is produced in the islets of Langerhans, small island-like cell clusters in the pancreas. The suffix -in is common in biochemistry for naming organic compounds. The term was coined in 1921 after the discovery of the hormone's role in glucose metabolism.
Diabetics often need insulin injections to manage their blood sugar levels.
Researchers are developing new forms of insulin with longer-lasting effects.
Without sufficient insulin, glucose cannot enter cells efficiently.
The discovery of insulin revolutionized diabetes treatment.
Some patients use an insulin pump for continuous hormone delivery.