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
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2 comments:
Hi Rosette,
Good work.
heya rowsie.ahah. i hope to see your creativity more. so serious ne boi? heheh.
Very informative. ^_^
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