*Pancreas Flashcards
Is pancreas a endocrine or exocrine gland?
Both
What makes it an exocrine gland?
Secretes into the small intestine (GI track - doughnut hole of the body)
How diverse are the cells in the pancreas?
There are many types of cells which all have different functions
(Some produce enzymes and others produce hormones)
What is the function of the islet of langerhans cells?
Respond to blood levels
What are the three types of langerhans cells?
Alpha
Beta
Delta
Where are the islet of langerhans cells found?
Pancreas
What hormone does alpha islet cells produce?
Glucagon
What does glucagon help regulate?
Blood sugar levels
How does glucagon effect blood sugar levels?
Increases it
How does glucagon increase blood sugar levels
Activated enzymes in the liver which convert glycogen into glucose –> glucose is released into the bloodstream
Where is the pancreas located?
Underneath and behind the stomach
What hormone do beta islet cells produce?
Insulin
What does insulin effect?
Blood sugar levels
What does insulin do to blood sugar levels?
Decreases them
How do beta islet cells decrease blood sugar levels?
It binds to the outside of cells opening their protein channels –> sugar moves into the cells and are used through glycolysis
What hormone do delta islet cells produce?
Somatostatin
What does somatostatin control?
The release of HGH
What does somatostatin inhibit?
Release of Gastrine
What is the normal blood sugar level for a young adult?
- 5 mmol/L
- -> varies through the day
What are the 2 types of diabetes
Insipidus
Mellitus
The problem of what hormone causes Insipidus diabetes?
ADH
What are the 2 causes of Insipidus diabetes?
Low production of ADH
Cells don’t respond to ADH
The problem with what hormone causes Mellitus diabetes?
Insulin
What are the two causes of Mellitus diabetes?
Low production of insulin
Cells don’t respond to insulin
What is type I diabetes?
Low production of insulin
What is type II diabetes?
Cells insensitive to insulin
Is type I or type II diabetes more common?
Type II
–> 95% of people with Mellitus
What does it mean to by hypoglycaemic?
There is more sugar than calories in the body –> don’t burn enough calories
What is the Edmonton Protocol?
Take islet cells from a healthy person and put them in a type I diabetic.
For the Edmonton protocol why do patients have to take anti suppressants?
To stop the immune system from attacking the unfamiliar islet cells
Why can you put islet cells anywhere in a persons body?
Not a part of the nervous system. Travel through the blood
