The Pancreas

Question 1

What is the pancreas?

Answer 1

It is part of the GI tract and located next to duodenum and stomach. Has both endocrine and exocrine functions. Has tiny ducts (come together to form the pancreatic duct). Pancreatic juice is produced by pancreas and drains through ducts into duodenum. Juice contains digestive enzymes which are involved in the digestion of food.

Question 2

What cell produce which hormones directly into the blood?

Answer 2

pancreatic islet of Langerhans secrete insulin and glucagon directly into the blood.

Question 3

Insulin

Answer 3

Secreted by beta cells in pancreas - lowers blood glucose

Question 4

Glucagon

Answer 4

secreted by alpha cells in pancreas and raise blood glucose

Question 5

Glycogen

Answer 5

Main form of energy. Needs to be converted to glucose to be used by body.

Question 6

What are the main roles of insulin?

Answer 6

• promotes uptake of glucose by cells in certain tissues to lower blood glucose
• promotes action of enzymes which convert dietary intake to more stable forms
• promotes growth due to increase protein synthesis

Question 7

What are the main roles of glucagon?

Answer 7

• stimulates liver to convert glycogen to glucose
• activating gluconeogenesis (conversion of amino acids into glucose)
• breakdown of stored fat into fatty acids to provide energy