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Preksha Dhyana :
Endocrine Function
The endocrine portion (the Islets of Langerhans) of the pancreas contain two main types of secreting 'cells, alpha and beta cells which secrete the hormones-glucagon and insulin. While many people may have a rough idea of what insulin does, only a few would have ever heard of glucagon. Both glucagon and insulin are concerned with the regulation of the body's carbohydrate metabolism, but their effects are opposite. (Yet the two hormones do not antagonize or block one another, they work independently). When the bloodsugar-level rises after a meal, for example, the secretion of insulin is stimulated, and it causes the blood-sugar-level to fall. When the blood-sugar-level falls below the normal value, glucagon is secreted which raises the glucose level of the blood. Thus, insulin and glucagon together keep the blood-sugar-level within a relatively narrow range.
Insulin acts in several ways to lower the blood sugarlevel. It facilitates the transport of glucose through cellmembranes, since the rate at which a cell utilizes glucose is determined to a large extent by the rate at which it enters the cell. Insulin thus speeds up the rate of glucose metabolism. It also acts on the cellular enzymes that catalyze tbe conversion of glucose to glycogen, and thus helps to take glucose out of circulation and store it away.
Insulin also stimulates synthesis of fatty acids from glucose and inhibits the conversion of amino and fatty acids to glucose in the liver. .
Failure to produce insulin in adequate quantities results in diabetes mellitus, j.e. increase of blood-sugar which appear in the urine. In the absence of insulin, cells would try to burn fat and/or protein which would have to be drained from muscle tissues, while unburnt Sugar would pass out of the body in sweetish urine taking with it a lot of water and useful salts.
Consumption of sweets in excess amount requires increased insulin production.
Thus, the so-called accessory organs perform a phenonenal multiplicity of biochemical functions unequalled by any other organs.
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