MadSci Network: Anatomy
Query:

Re: what does the pancreas do?

Date: Mon Feb 9 23:26:12 1998
Posted By: Daniel Hudak, Undergraduate, Biology
Area of science: Anatomy
ID: 886350868.An
Message:

The Pancreas is an elongated gland located behind the stomach and is involved in the body's digestion and usage of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids. Digestive enzymes and bicarbonate ions are released from the pancreas into the pancreatic duct, which converges with the common bile duct and empties its contents into the duodenum. The duodenum is a short segment of the small intestine that connects directly to the stomach. It is in this area food that was beginning to digest in the stomach can be broken down into its elementary parts and absorbed by the body.

Pancreatic enzymes secreted include Trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase and elastase which break peptide bonds of protein. Lipase which breaks up triglycerides into individual fatty acids. Amylase, an enzyme that splits polysaccharides into glucose and maltose. And finally ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease which split nucleic acid molecules.

Bicarbonate ions secreted by the pancreas also play a large role in digestion. These ions increase the pH of the digestive tract in the duodenum by neutralizing H+ ions from the stomach acids. The stomach is able to withstand a highly acidic environment due to its mucosal lining, but the small intestine is unable to, making it very important to decrease the acidity of materials entering through the duodenum.

The pancreas also secretes hormones involved in organic metabolism and blood glucose levels. They are insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. A common disease that involves the pancreas is diabetes, in which insulin production or insulin pathways are inhibited causing increased blood glucose levels, which can be very harmful if not taken care of.


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