Biology

Pancreas is a heterocrine gland ( mixed gland) found in the folds of the duodenum. A portion of pancreas acts like an exocrine gland and another portion like an endocrine gland. The group of cells of endocrine pancreas is called islets of Langerhans. The cells of islet are of three types, with respect to kind of hormones they secrete. 1. Alpha cells :-     These cells secrete glucagon hormone which causes the breakdown of glycogen to release glucose in the blood. Thereby glucose becomes available to the tissues and organs of the body. 2. Beta cells :-      These cells secrete insulin hormone, which controls the formation of glycogen from glucose in the liver. If insulin is not secreted properly, blood glucose level will keep on rising and after a limit, the kidney will allow the glucose to go out in the urine. This happens in people suffering from diabetes mellitus, who are unable to secrete insufficient amounts of insulin. 3. Delta cells :-     These cells secrete soma