The Pancreas: Endocrine System

Question 1

Is the pancreas endocrine or exocrine?

Answer 1

Both

Question 2

endocrine function of pancreas

Answer 2

Secretion of hormones by the alpha and beta cells in the islets of Langerhans directly into bloodstream where it controls blood sugar levels

Question 3

islet langerhans

Answer 3

alpha and beta cells

Question 4

Alpha cells secrete

Answer 4

glucagon

Question 5

Beta cells secrete

Answer 5

Insulin

Question 6

insulin

Answer 6

Lowers blood sugar levels,Glucose can not enter cells without the help of insulin.
Glucose - simple sugar, primary source of cellular energy
Normal glucose concentration 3.5 - 5.5 mmol/litre

Question 7

How insulin lowers blood sugar levels

Answer 7

1.High blood sugar levels are detected by the beta cells, causing them to release insulin.
2. Insulin reaches target cells of the body and causes them to take up glucose and metabolise/use it faster.
3.Insulin also targets the cells of the liver, causing it to store glucose (as glycogen).
4.The result is a decrease in blood sugar levels.
5.This returns the levels of blood glucose to normal.
6The beta cells release less insulin.

Question 8

negative feedback

Answer 8

A primary mechanism of homeostasis, whereby a change in a physiological variable that is being monitored triggers a response that counteracts the initial fluctuation.

Question 9

How glucagon increases blood glucose

Answer 9

1.Blood entering the pancreas is monitored by the alpha and beta cells.
2.A low level of glucose is detected by the alpha cells, resulting in a release of glucagon.
3.This hormone targets the liver, instructing it to release stored glucose (convert glycogen to glucose) into the bloodstream.
4.The blood sugar level increases and the amount of glucagon released by the beta cells is reduced.