Pancreatic Gland and the Hormones Secreted

Hormones play an important role in the homeostasis of our body's activity. With our new assignment about hormones, I was tasked to discuss about the pancreatic gland and its hormones and their corresponding functions in the body. 

The pancreatic gland can be both an endocrine and exocrine gland. It can be classified into exocrine gland for it produces pancreatic juices which contains digestive enzymes that pass through our small intestines. As for its endocrine function, the pancreas is the gland which produces the endocrine hormones such as the insulin. For this topic, the endocrine function of the pancreas will be mainly discussed. 

Pancreas has clusters of cells which we call the islets of Langerhans and these contains four types of cells: the alpha cell, beta cell, delta cell and the gamma cells. Pancreatic hormones include the insulin, glucagon and the somatostatin. 

*islets of Langerhans

Insulin

This hormone is secreted by the beta cells together with the amylin. It helps in the regulation of blood glucose . Its action includes the absorption and usage of blood glucose which decreases the blood sugar levels and maintaining it in its normal range. This hormone is secreted in response to high blood glucose and is inhibited in low blood glucose.

Glucagon

Glucagon helps insulin regulate the blood glucose in its normal range. It is secreted by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans. Its action is to produce glucose in cases of low blood glucose level. This is secreted in response to low blood glucose and is inhibited in high blood glucose.

Somatostatin

The hormone responsible for the regulation of the production and excretion of other hormones. This slows down the production of other hormones in response to high levels of other hormones. It is secreted by the delta cells which consists of two polypeptides.

Reference/s:

Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology by Tortora

Modern Biology by James Otto

http://www.endocrineweb.com/pancreas.html

Photo Credits:

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff177/salviaforme/album2/pancreaglandendocrine.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Langerhanssche_Insel.jpg

Endocrinology, Toxicology and Drug Testing

Clinical Chemistry 3 will deal about endocrinology, toxicology and drug testing. Before we begin with our discussions, it is important for us find out what these three terminologies mean.

Endocrinology tackles about the different hormones in the body which are produced from the different endocrine glands that we have. Hormones are substances in the body which plays an important role in our body's homeostasis. Each hormone in our body are secreted by a specific endocrine gland when it is stimulated to send signals or messages to initiate the organs of the body for its function.they are responsible for the different physiological activities of our body.

On the other hand, toxicology deals with the different toxins in the body which we may classify as the study of poisons. Toxic substances which may affect our body are being studied in this field of science as to their other uses; if they could be beneficial to mankind and to the advancement in healthcare technology.

Last is drug testing. Drug testing is the procedure wherein biological specimens such as urine, blood, etc. are examined. This is performed to lessen or if possible eliminate the abuse of drugs.

Reference/s:

• Bishop, Michael L. et. al.CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: PRINCIPLES, PROCEDURES, CORRELATIONS, 5th ed. 2005
• Otto, James H. MODERN BIOLOGY.1985