Summary Notes on the pancreas, insulin and glucagon

The pancreas
 both exocrine (releasing enzymes) and endocrine (releasing hormones) function



Exocrine function

 Exocrine cells are in small groups, called acinus, surrounding tiny tubules and separated by connective tissue
 The cells of the acini secrete the enzymes they synthesize into the tubule at the center, which joins with
others to form the pancreatic duct.
 The pancreatic duct carries the fluid containing the enzymes into the first part of the small intestine
 Enzymes produced:
- pancreatic amylase: digests amylose  maltose
- trypsinogen: an inactive protease which is converted to the active from trypsin when it enters the intestine
- lipase: digests lipid  fatty acids + glycerol
 Pancreatic juice also contains sodium hydrogencarbonate, which makes it alkaline to neutralize the
contents of the digestive system, which have just left the acid environment of the stomach



Endocrine function

 Hormones are secreted from the islets of Langerhans
 The islets of Langerhans contain β-cells which make
insulin and α-cells which make glucagon




Releasing insulin