An example of antagonistic hormones controlling homeostasis is insulin and glucagon metabolism. The regulation of blood glucose concentration illustrates how the endocrine system maintains homeostasis by the action of antagonistic hormones. When the concentration of blood glucose rises beta cells secrete insulin into the blood; which stimulates the liver and most other body cells to absorb glucose, when the concentration of blood glucose drops, alpha cells secrete glucagon into the blood which stimulates the liver to release glucose.