How does glucagon affect the body?

The correct answer highlights that glucagon tells cells to absorb glucose better, particularly focusing on the liver’s response to glucagon. When blood glucose levels are low, glucagon is secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas. It promotes the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver (a process known as glycogenolysis) and stimulates gluconeogenesis, the creation of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. This mechanism increases glucose availability in the bloodstream to support metabolic needs, especially in situations of fasting or low-carbohydrate intake.

Moreover, glucagon also plays a crucial role in regulating energy metabolism by promoting the use of fat as an energy source, which further supports its role in increasing glucose output from the liver rather than directly influencing the cells to absorb glucose. Therefore, understanding glucagon's effect in the context of increasing blood glucose through liver actions clarifies why this is the accurate response regarding glucagon's influence on cellular glucose handling.