14.2 Structure and Function of the Pancreas

Question 1

What the two main functions of the pancreas

Answer 1

endocrine gland - to produce hormones and release them in the blood
exocrine gland - to produce enzymes and release them via the duct in the duodenum

Question 2

What is the role of the pancreas as an exocrine gland

Answer 2

-majority of pancreases made of exocrine tissue acini
-tissue is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and alkaline fluid
-enzymes are secreted directly into ducts which lead into the pancreatic duct, then released via the duodenum

Question 3

What are the three important enzymes the pancreas produces

Answer 3

amylase - break down starch into simple sugars (eg. pancreatic amalyse)
proteases - break down proteins in amino acids (eg. trypsin)
lipases - break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol (eg. pancreatic lipase)

Question 4

What is the pancreases role of a endocrine gland

Answer 4

-produce insulin and glucagon which play an essential role in controlling blood glucose conc.
-small regions of endocrine tissues called Iselts of langerhans which produce the insulin and glucagon and secretes them directly into the blood stream

Question 5

Where is the pancreas located

Answer 5

upper abdomen, behind stomach

Question 6

What is the histology of the pancreas

Answer 6

Islets of Langerhans - lightly stained, large spherical clusters, endocrine pancreas, produce and secrete hormones
Pancreatic acini - darker stained, small berry-like clusters, exocrine pancreas, produce and secrete digestive enzymes

Question 7

What are the different types of cells in the Islets of Langerhans

Answer 7

-alpha cells
-beta cells

Question 8

What hormone does alpha cells secrete

Answer 8

glucagon

Question 9

What hormone does beta cells secrete

Answer 9

insulin

Question 10

What are the difference between alpha and beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans

Answer 10

Alpha - produces glucagon, receptors on liver and fat cells , detect low glucose , larger, more abundant
Beta - produces insulin, receptors on most cells, detect high glucose , smaller, less abundant

Question 11

How do you distinguish between alpha and beta cells within the Islets of Langerhans

Answer 11

Beta cells - blue with differential staining
Alpha cells - pink