EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The main function of the pancreas is to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It is a large gland located behind the stomach. It produces insulin, glucagon, and other hormones. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not use insulin properly (called insulin resistance).

Detailed explanation-2: -Glucagon is a peptide hormone secreted from the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans.

Detailed explanation-3: -Insulin and glucagon are hormones secreted by islet cells within the pancreas. They are both secreted in response to blood sugar levels, but in opposite fashion. Insulin is normally secreted by the beta cells (a type of islet cell) of the pancreas.

Detailed explanation-4: -The most important hormone that the pancreas produces is insulin. Insulin is released by the ‘beta cells’ in the islets of Langerhans in response to food. Its role is to lower glucose levels in the bloodstream and promote the storage of glucose in fat, muscle, liver and other body tissues.

Detailed explanation-5: -There are specialised areas within the pancreas called islets of Langerhans (the term insulin comes from the Latin insula that means island). The islets of Langerhans are made up of different type of cells that make hormones, the commonest ones are the beta cells, which produce insulin.