insulin
Definitions
A hormone made by the pancreas that controls the level of sugar in the blood; also given as a medicine to people with diabetes
胰岛素（胰腺分泌、调节血糖的激素，也作糖尿病药物）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedinsul (island) + -in (chemical/substance ending) = a substance from the 'islands.' Insulin is secreted by the islets of Langerhans — clusters of cells in the pancreas whose name islet means 'little island.' The hormone was named after those island-like cell groups.
Root insul still carries 7 more wordsWhy It Means This
Insulin is the family's quiet surprise: a blood-sugar hormone built on the Latin word for 'island.' It is secreted by the islets of Langerhans — 'islet' literally means 'little island' (from īnsula). Scientists named the hormone after those island-like clumps of cells. So next time you see insulin, remember it's chemically distilled from an 'island.'
Common Collocations
- 1.insulin injection胰岛素注射
- 2.insulin level胰岛素水平
- 3.insulin therapy胰岛素疗法
- 4.insulin resistance胰岛素抵抗
Example Sentences
- 1.
People with type 1 diabetes need daily injections of insulin.
- 2.
After a meal, the pancreas releases insulin to lower blood sugar.
- 3.
The discovery of insulin in 1921 saved millions of lives.