PANCREAS

The pancreas is located behind the stomach on the left side of abdomen.

FUNCTIONS OF THE PANCREAS

It functions as a mixed gland.  (i.e. both an exocrine gland (digestion) and endocrine gland.

HORMONES OF THE PANCREAS

The pancreas contain some special group of cells called the islets of Langerhans. The islets of langerhans is an endocrine gland. It secretes tow sets of hormones,namely:

1. Insulin
2. Glucagon

Insulin.

Insulin is produced by Beta cells (β-cells) in Islets of Langerhans. It regulates the blood glucose level. Insulin is required by almost all of the body's cells, but its major targets are liver cells, fat cells and muscle cells. Insulin serves the following actions:

• Stimulates liver and muscle cells to store glucose in glycogen
• Stimulates fat cells to form fats from fatty acids and glycerol
• Stimulates liver and muscle cells to make proteins from amino acids
• Inhibits the liver and kidney cells from making glucose from intermediate compounds of metabolic pathways (gluconeogenesis)

Glucagon

Glucagon is produced by Alpha cells (α-cells) in Islets of LangerhansGlucagon causes the liver to catabolise stored carbohydrates in order to raise a low glucose sugar level.

DEFICIENCY OF INSULIN

The deficiency of insulin im man results in a condition called Diabetes mellitus.

Symptoms

 Some the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus are:

1. Feeling tired Feeling sick
2. Frequent urination
3. Excessive thirst
4. Excessive hunger
5. Weight loss.
6. Vomiting or nausea
7. Sudden irritability