Endocrine physiology: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Endocrine physiology

Sample item

What is the major acute effect of glucagon on the liver during fasting?

AReduce gluconeogenesisBIncrease insulin release from beta cellsCStop glycogen breakdownDIncrease hepatic glucose output

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Increase hepatic glucose output

Glucagon signals fasting and raises blood glucose largely by stimulating hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis; its effect on skeletal muscle is limited because muscle lacks glucagon receptors of major metabolic significance.

Option by option

A. Reduce gluconeogenesis
It supports, rather than reduces, gluconeogenesis.
B. Increase insulin release from beta cells
Glucagon does not primarily stimulate insulin secretion as its main fasting action.
C. Stop glycogen breakdown
It promotes, rather than stops, hepatic glycogen breakdown.
D. Increase hepatic glucose output (correct)
Correct: glucagon increases liver glucose release during fasting.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is D, Increase hepatic glucose output. Glucagon signals fasting and raises blood glucose largely by stimulating hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis; its effect on skeletal muscle is limited because muscle lacks glucagon receptors of major metabolic significance.

Why is "Reduce gluconeogenesis" not the answer?

It supports, rather than reduces, gluconeogenesis.

Why is "Increase insulin release from beta cells" not the answer?

Glucagon does not primarily stimulate insulin secretion as its main fasting action.

Why is "Stop glycogen breakdown" not the answer?

It promotes, rather than stops, hepatic glycogen breakdown.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine physiology in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: glucagon increases liver glucose release during fasting.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrine physiology?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.