What is the effect of insulin on fat storage?

Insulin plays a significant role in regulating fat storage, and one of its primary effects is to facilitate the uptake of fatty acids into adipose tissue. When insulin is released in response to elevated blood glucose levels, it promotes the storage of energy by enhancing the transport of fatty acids into adipocytes (fat cells), where they can be converted into triglycerides for long-term energy storage.

This action is crucial because it allows the body to store excess energy derived from carbohydrates and fats when food is consumed. By facilitating the uptake of fatty acids, insulin not only helps maintain energy balance but also influences overall metabolic health, as adipose tissue acts as a key player in energy homeostasis.

The other options describe mechanisms that do not align with insulin's function in promoting fat storage. Insulin does not promote the breakdown of fats; on the contrary, it inhibits lipolysis (the breakdown of stored fats). It also does not inhibit fat storage but instead promotes it, and while insulin affects glucose uptake in cells, it primarily increases glucose uptake rather than decreasing it.