Pancreas (MODULE 5)

Question 1

What is the exocrine function of the pancreas?

Answer 1

Synthesise and release enzymes into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine)

Question 2

What is the endocrine function of the pancreas?

Answer 2

Synthesise hormones and release them into the blood

Question 3

What enzymes do the pancreas synthesise as a part of its exocrine function?

Answer 3

Digestive enzymes such as amylases, proteases and lipases- as well as an alkaline fluid known as ‘pancreatic juice’

Question 4

What is histology?

Answer 4

The study of tissues

Question 5

What is the histology of the pancreas?

Answer 5

Islets of Langerhans: lighter coloured, large and spherical, endocrine tissue
Acini: darker coloured, small berry-like clusters, exocrine tissue

Question 6

What are Islets of Langerhans?

Answer 6

Cells that produce hormones for blood glucose regulation and are separated into alpha and beta cells

Question 7

What is the difference between alpha and beta Islets of Langerhans?

Answer 7

Alpha produces and secretes glucagon, beta produces and secretes insulin

Question 8

What is the normal blood glucose concentration?

Answer 8

90 mg cm-3

Question 9

How is blood glucose concentration increased?

Answer 9

Diet, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis

Question 10

What is glycogenolysis?

Answer 10

Glycogen (stored in the liver) is broken down into glucose and released into the blood

Question 11

What is gluconeogenesis?

Answer 11

Production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources in the liver, such as lipids and amino acids and is then released into the blood

Question 12

How is blood glucose concentration decreased?

Answer 12

Respiration and glycogenesis

Question 13

What is glycogenesis?

Answer 13

Conversion of glucose to glycogen

Question 14

How does insulin effect blood glucose concentration?

Answer 14

Beta pancreatic islets detect the change in blood glucose and release insulin which causes:

• increasing rate of absorption of glucose by cells (particularly skeletal muscles cells)
• increasing respiratory rate of cells
• increasing rate glycogenesis
• increasing rate of glucose to fat conversion
• inhibiting release of glucagon from alpha pancreatic islets

Question 15

Why is insulin constantly released from beta pancreatic islets?

Answer 15

Enzymes in the liver break it down, so is constantly released to maintain its effect