structure and function of the pancreas

• state the roles and functions of the pancreas

  • has both endocrine and exocrine functions
  • controls blood glucose concentration
  • secretes hormones and digestive enzymes
  • secretes digestive secretions called pancreatic juice
• how does the pancreas work both as an exocrine and endocrine gland (have both exocrine and endocrine functions)

  • exocrine - produce enzymes (proteases amylases and lipases) and secrete them via a duct into the duodenum
  • endocrine - produce hormones (insulin and glucagon) and secrete them into the blood
• what tissue is most of the pancreas made up of?

  exocrine tissue
• is pancreatic juice acidic or alkaline?

  alkaline
• where is the duodenum?

  top part of the small intestine (where enzymes and pancreatic juice are released into)
• what three digestive enzymes does the pancreas produce?

  • amylases
  • proteases
  • lipases
• what are islets of langerhans?

  • found within exocrine tissue (but the islets themselves are endocrine tissues)
  • its cells are responsible for producing insulin and glucagon, and secreting these hormones directly into the bloodstream
• state the differences in structure, appearance, shape, type of tissue and function of the islets of langerhans (pancreatic endocrine tissue) and the pancreatic acini (pancreatic exocrine tissue)

  STRUCTURE

  • islets of langerhans (endocrine) vs pancreatic acini (exocrine)

  APPEARANCE

  • islets of langerhans are lightly stained
  • pancreatic acini are darkly stained

  SHAPE

  • IOL large, spherical clusters
  • PA small, berry like clusers

  TYPE OF TISSUE

  • IOL- endocrine
  • PA- exocrine

  FUNCTION

  • IOL- produce and secrete hormones
  • PA- produce and secrete enzymes

  
• what two different types of cell can you find within the IOL?

  • alpha cells- produce and secrete glucagon, larger and more numerous than beta cells within an islet
  • beta cells - produce and secrete insulin

  way to remember - Alpha cells produce glucAgon, beta cells produce insulin
• describe the gross structure of the kidney

  •Bean-shaped, reddish-brown organs located retroperitoneally.

  •Renal artery brings blood to kidney, renal vein carries blood away.

  •Ureter carries urine from kidney to bladder.
• describe the microscopic structure of the kidney (PPQ)

  •Functional units are nephrons, consisting of glomerulus and renal tubule.

  •Glomerulus: Network of capillaries for blood filtration.

  •Renal tubule: Proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct.

  •Different regions of tubule specialized for reabsorption and secretion.
• describe the main general functions of the kidney (PPQ)

  •Blood filtration: Glomerulus filters waste products, excess water, ions from blood.

  •Reabsorption: Tubule selectively reabsorbs useful substances back into blood.

  •Secretion: Tubule actively secretes waste products and excess ions into filtrate.

  •Urine formation: Concentrates filtrate into urine for excretion.
• what are the similarities and differences between the kidney and the liver? (PPQ)

  •Comparison

  •Both:

  •Highly vascularized organs involved in filtration and processing of blood.

  •Microscopic structures (lobules/nephrons) are the functional units.

  •Play crucial roles in homeostasis and waste elimination.

  •Differences:

  •Liver is larger, has a more uniform structure, and performs diverse metabolic functions.

  •Kidney has a more complex structure specialized for filtration and urine formation.

  Liver produces bile, while kidney produces urine