PANCREAS

WHAT'S ITS JOB?

• Enzymes, or digestive juices, produced by the pancreas are secreted into the small intestine to further break down food after it has left the stomach. The gland also produces the hormone insulin and secretes it into the bloodstream in order to regulate the body's glucose or sugar level.

ENZYMES💥

• The enzymes made by the pancreas are: • Pancreatic proteases (such as trypsin and chymotrypsin) - which help to digest proteins. • Pancreatic amylase - which helps to digest sugars (carbohydrates). • Pancreatic lipase - which helps to digest fat.

HORMONES

• The pancreas produces 2 antagonistic hormones to control blood sugar: glucagon and insulin. The alpha cells of the pancreas produce glucagon. Glucagon raises blood glucose levels by stimulating the liver to metabolize glycogen into glucose molecules and to release glucose into the blood.

MECHANICAL DIGESTION

• Bile emulsifies (breaks into small particles) lipids (fats), which aids in the mechanical digestion of fats. The pancreas and gland cells of the small intestine secrete digestive enzymes that chemically break down complex food molecules into simpler ones.

CITES⬇️

• http://www.e-missions.net/cybersurgeons/?/dig_teacher/
• http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/P/Pancreas.html
• http://pathology.jhu.edu/pc/BasicOverview1.php?area=ba