Week 7 - Pancreas

Question 1

Where is the pancreas located?

Answer 1

Lies under the peritoneum and between the stomach and duodenum

Question 2

Is the pancreas an exocrine or endocrine gland?

Answer 2

Both

Question 3

Define Exocrine and name the exocrine gland characteristics of the pancreas

Answer 3

Secretions are secreted via a duct external to the gland either onto a bodily surface or inside the body
Acini cells produce pancreatic juice (digestive juice) which is carried to the small intestine

Question 4

What makes up the Endocrine portion of the pancreas and what is their role

Answer 4

Islets of Langerhans

The islets of Langerhans are a cluster of cells within the pancreas that are responsible for the production and release of hormones that regulate glucose levels

Question 5

What two cells make up the Islets of Langerhans, their % and what they secrete

Answer 5

Alpha cells (20%) secrete glucagon
Beta cells (75%) secrete insulin

Question 6

Insulin stimulation, target tissue and response

Answer 6

Stimulation: high blood glucose levels, parasympathetic stimulation - no need for available glucose
Target tissue: Liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and satiety center part of the hypothalamus (controls food intake)
Response: increase the uptake of glucose and amino acids

Question 7

Glucagon stimulation, target tissue and response

Answer 7

Stimulation: low blood glucose levels, sympathetic stimulation - preparation for exercise where we need available glucose
Target tissue: Mainly Liver - as most glucagon is delivered directly to the liver
Response: Increases blood glucose levels, primarily released from the liver and occurs very rapidly
Inhibited by high blood glucose levels