The Pancreas!

- It is an elongated and somewhat flattened organ that has both an endocrine and exocrine function.
- As an endocrine gland, it secretes insulin and glucagon, hormones that help keep the blood glucose level within normal limits.
- Most Pancreatic cells produce pancreatic juice, which contains Sodium Bicarbonate and digestive enzymes for all types of foods.
- Pancreatic amylase digests starch, trypsin digests protein, and cipase digests fat.


The two antagonistic hormones insulin and glucagon, both produced by the Pancreas, maintain the normal level of glucose in the blood.
Insulin:

-Is secreted when the blood glucose level is high, which usually occurs just after eating.

-Insulin stimulates how much glucose is taken by cells

-In liver and muscle cells glucose is stored as glycogen

-In muscle cells the breakdown of glucose supplies energy for preotein metabolism

-In fat cells glucose break down supplies glycerol for the formation of fat


Glucagon:

- Is secreted from the Pancreas, and this happens usually between meals when the blood glucose level is low.

-Glucogon stimulates the liver to break down glycogen to glucose to use fat and protein in preference to glucose as an energy source


Diabetes is a common hormonal disease where liver cells and all body cells are unable to take up and or metabolize glucose.

There are two different types of diabetes,
Type 1, Insulin dependent, where the pancreas is not producing insulin

- This requires the individual to acquire daily insulin injections, if a diabetic misses an insulin shot or a meal they can become anxious or have perspiration, pale skin & shallow breathing
- Sugar or juice can quickly contract hypoglycemia

Type 2, non-insulin dependant diabetes

- In obesity or inactive
- Pancreas produces insulin but liver and muscle cells do not respond in a usual manner
- Low fat, low sugar diet is needed

An Excellent Video!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l2GTGEwZOY&playnext=1&list=PL5DB15064FCD04401