Question

Draw the figure of cellular structure of pancreatic gland. Discuss in short about the hormones released by it.

Answer 1

The pancreas is a composite and mixed gland behaves like an endocrine and exocrine gland. The endocrine part of pancreas is represented/consists of Islets of Langerhans. There are about 1 - 2 million islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. 

It has:

1. α (alpha) cells: They form about 25% in number and average sized cells. These cells produce a hormone called glucagon. They converts the stored glycogen → glucose (i.e., glycolysis) and formation of glucose from fats and amino acids (it is called gluconeogenesis).

2. ß (beta) cells: These cells are larger in number and bigger in size responsible for secretion of insulin hormone. It change/regulates the level of glucose in blood and converts excess of it into glycogen in liver and muscles.

3. δ (delta) cells: These cells are smaller in size and less in number. These cells secrete somatostatin hormone. It obstructs the working of glucogon and insulin thereby, assimilation of digested food into body is delayed.

Functions of Glucagon:

1. It is a peptide hormone and places an important role in maintaining normal levels of glucose in blood.
2. It mainly acts on hepatocytes (liver cells) and stimulates gluconeogenesis resulting in an increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
3. It reduces the cellular glucose intake and utilization thereby, hyperglycemia. This hormone is also called hyperglycemic hormone.

Functions of Insulin:

1. It is a peptide hormone and plays a major role in regulation of glucose homeostasis.
2. It mainly acts on hepatocytes (liver cells) and adipocytes (fats cells).
3. It increases the cellular uptake and utilization of glucose. Resulting in rapid movement of glucose from blood to hepatocytes and adipocytes. This results in turn in low levels of glucose in blood (hypoglycemia).
4. Sitmulation of conversion of glucose to glycogen (glycogenesis) in the target cells.

Diabetes mellitus is the prolonged hyperglycemia condition or complex disorder. 

Symptoms are : loss of glucose through urine and formation of harmful compounds called ketone bodies. Diabetes mellitus is also called sweet diabetes. Controlled sugar intake, exercise corrects it. Also insulin therapy is done for diabetic patients.