What are functions of the pancreas?
The pancreas is a vital glandular organ that is part of the human digestive and endocrine systems. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes such as proteolytic enzymes which are responsible for the digestion of proteins, lipases which digest fat and amylases which digest dietary carbohydrates.In addition to the proteases, lipase and amylase, the pancreas produces a host of other digestive enzymes, including ribonuclease, deoxyribonuclease, gelatinase and elastase.Besides digestive enzymes, the pancreas is also responsible for the production and secretion of the hormones insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar.Produce glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin in the Islet of Langerhans, and helps to digest chyme in the small intestine by excreting pancreatic juice.The function of the exocrine pancreas is two fold. The acinar cells secrete enzymes into the duodenum that digest lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins (e.g. phospholipase A2, trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, alpha amylase) Its ductal cells secretes bicarbonate into the duodenum to neutralize the acid delivered by the stomach with chyme (partially digested food).The main function of the endocrine cells of the pancease is to regulate blood sugar via the secretion of insulin and glucagon, which are secreted by beta cells and alpha cells, respectively. Insulin decreases blood sugar through multiple avenues and glucagon increases blood sugar through multiple avenues.the pancrease via its endocrine cells can also regulate the exocrine cell secretions. For example, glucagon can inhibit the acinar cells and ductal cells. Insulin can stimulate the acinar and ductal cells to secrete there respective substances.drazx is the original author of this answer
