2017 · Paper V · 10 marksFrequently asked

Which hormone regulates blood glucose levels in the body and how is it synthesized artificially ?

In short

Insulin, secreted by the beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake and glycogenesis. It is synthesised artificially through recombinant DNA technology, by inserting the human insulin gene into Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which ended reliance on animal insulin.

Model answer

Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026

Introduction
Insulin, secreted by pancreatic β-cells, is the key hormone regulating blood glucose, essential for diabetes management in Andhra Pradesh, where biotechnology advances have enabled its artificial synthesis. Maintaining glucose homeostasis is vital to prevent complications of diabetes, a growing public health concern in the region.
Institutional and Biotechnological Framework
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Regulatory Oversight

CDSCO and NPPA regulate insulin quality and pricing to ensure safety and affordability, addressing challenges of counterfeit and substandard products in India’s pharmaceutical market.

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Biotech Research

Sri Venkateswara University and state biotech institutions in Andhra Pradesh drive insulin analogue development aligned with the BioE3 Policy1 and Bio-RIDE scheme, fostering indigenous production and innovation in biopharmaceuticals.

Challenges in Synthesis and Distribution
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Technical Complexity

Insulin is produced via recombinant DNA technology in genetically engineered microbes like Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, requiring sophisticated bioreactors and purification to ensure bioequivalence and safety.

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Access Barriers

High production costs, cold chain logistics, and limited healthcare infrastructure restrict insulin availability in rural Andhra Pradesh despite Jan Aushadhi scheme support, impacting consistent treatment adherence.

Advancements and Way Forward
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Innovation and Partnerships

Development of rapid- and long-acting insulin analogues and public-private partnerships in Andhra Pradesh enhance affordability and distribution, supported by digital health platforms improving patient monitoring.

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Strengthening Systems

Expanding regulatory frameworks against counterfeit drugs and scaling indigenous R&D in Andhra Pradesh’s biotech clusters are critical, alongside capacity building for healthcare workers to improve insulin administration and diabetes education.

Conclusion
Artificial insulin synthesis is central to controlling blood glucose and diabetes, necessitating enhanced biotech innovation, regulation, and public health integration in Andhra Pradesh to address the growing diabetes burden effectively.

This model answer is indicative and the model can make mistakes; please verify key facts independently.

Hand-drawn diagram: Making insulin artificially. Making insulin artificially. Flow: Insulin gene isolated → Inserted into E. coli or yeast → Grown in bioreactors → Insulin purified → Analogues for better control
Diagram: Making insulin artificially

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Question from the official APPSC Group-I Mains 2017 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.

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