The pancreas is small gland (weighing less than 8oz) located close to the stomach. The pancreas has two main functions. It contains clusters of cells (islets of Langerhans) that secrete the pancreatic endocrine hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream in order to regulate blood glucose levels. In addition, the pancreas plays an important role in food digestion,secreting enzymes that break down fat,starch and proteins in the small intestine (duodenum).
How the pancreas regulates blood glucose?
The pancreas contains thousands of clusters of cells (islets of Langerhaans) - divided into two types,beta cells and alpha cells that secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. Whtn glucose levels in the bloodstream rise - eg. after eating - the pancreatic beta cells secrete insulin.The insulin stimulates cells in the body to grab the passing glucose,leading toa fall in blood glucose levels. The insulin also instructs the liver to grab glucose and convert it into the glucose-reserve known as glycogen. Conversely, when glucose levels in the bloodstream fall below a set point, alpha cells in the pancreas release the hormone glucagon which tells the liver to re-convert glycogen back to glucose and release it into the bloodstream. These two pancreatic hormones, insulin and glucogon,help to maintain blood glucose levels within heathy parameters
The pancreas contains thousands of clusters of cells (islets of Langerhaans) - divided into two types,beta cells and alpha cells that secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. Whtn glucose levels in the bloodstream rise - eg. after eating - the pancreatic beta cells secrete insulin.The insulin stimulates cells in the body to grab the passing glucose,leading toa fall in blood glucose levels. The insulin also instructs the liver to grab glucose and convert it into the glucose-reserve known as glycogen. Conversely, when glucose levels in the bloodstream fall below a set point, alpha cells in the pancreas release the hormone glucagon which tells the liver to re-convert glycogen back to glucose and release it into the bloodstream. These two pancreatic hormones, insulin and glucogon,help to maintain blood glucose levels within heathy parameters. |
