Question

Pancreas- what is the endocrine part? What cells secrete each hormone, and what is the function of each hormone?

Answer 1

Answer

Pancreas is both an endocrine and an exocrine organ.

Endocrine part : Islets of Langerhans (cluster of cells) in the center is the endocrine part of the pancreas.

Cells : There are three types of cells in islets of Langerhans.

1) Alpha cells : It secretes glucagon

2) Beta cells : It secretes insulin

3) Delta cells : It secretes somatostatin

Functions :

1) Glucagon : It acts on liver and muscle cells to promote glycogenolysis and release glucose into the blood. It increases blood glucose levels.

2) Insulin : It acts on liver and muscle cells to promote glycogenesis and deposit excess blood glucose in the form of glycogen. It decreases blood glucose levels.

3) Somatostatin : It inhibits the release of growth hormone from anterior pituitary gland.