Final answer:
Insulin is the pancreatic hormone that stimulates glucose metabolism, lowering blood glucose levels by promoting cellular glucose uptake and inhibiting glucose production in the liver. Glucagon, in contrast, raises blood glucose levels by triggering glycogen breakdown in the liver.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pancreatic hormone that stimulates glucose metabolism is known as insulin. Insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets, or islets of Langerhans, when blood glucose levels rise. Its primary function is to lower blood glucose levels by promoting the absorption of glucose into cells, especially muscle and fat cells, where it is either utilized for energy or stored as glycogen. In addition, insulin enhances glycolysis, the metabolic pathway by which glucose is converted into energy, and inhibits the liver's production of glucose through glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Another pancreatic hormone that influences blood glucose levels is glucagon, which is produced by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets. In contrast to insulin, glucagon raises blood glucose levels by stimulating the liver to convert glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream, especially during periods of hypoglycemia. Thus, insulin and glucagon work in tandem to maintain blood glucose homeostasis.