insulin is a chemical that is produced by the __________ and controls __________.
There are 51 amino acids in an insulin molecule. It has a molecular weight of 5808 Da. Insulin is produced in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The name insulin comes from the Latin ''insula'' for island from the cells that produce the hormone in the pancreas. Insulin's structure varies slightly between species of animal.
Glucose levels are tightly controlled by insulin so that the rate of glucose production by the liver is matched by the rate of use by the cells. In healthy individuals, the role of insulin is to keep a steady blood glucose level by ensuring sufficient release from the liver.