Pancreas (MODULE 5) Flashcards Preview

Biology A-Level OCR > Pancreas (MODULE 5) > Flashcards

Flashcards in Pancreas (MODULE 5) Deck (15)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What is the exocrine function of the pancreas?

A

Synthesise and release enzymes into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine)

2
Q

What is the endocrine function of the pancreas?

A

Synthesise hormones and release them into the blood

3
Q

What enzymes do the pancreas synthesise as a part of its exocrine function?

A

Digestive enzymes such as amylases, proteases and lipases- as well as an alkaline fluid known as ‘pancreatic juice’

4
Q

What is histology?

A

The study of tissues

5
Q

What is the histology of the pancreas?

A

Islets of Langerhans: lighter coloured, large and spherical, endocrine tissue
Acini: darker coloured, small berry-like clusters, exocrine tissue

6
Q

What are Islets of Langerhans?

A

Cells that produce hormones for blood glucose regulation and are separated into alpha and beta cells

7
Q

What is the difference between alpha and beta Islets of Langerhans?

A

Alpha produces and secretes glucagon, beta produces and secretes insulin

8
Q

What is the normal blood glucose concentration?

A

90 mg cm-3

9
Q

How is blood glucose concentration increased?

A

Diet, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis

10
Q

What is glycogenolysis?

A

Glycogen (stored in the liver) is broken down into glucose and released into the blood

11
Q

What is gluconeogenesis?

A

Production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources in the liver, such as lipids and amino acids and is then released into the blood

12
Q

How is blood glucose concentration decreased?

A

Respiration and glycogenesis

13
Q

What is glycogenesis?

A

Conversion of glucose to glycogen

14
Q

How does insulin effect blood glucose concentration?

A

Beta pancreatic islets detect the change in blood glucose and release insulin which causes:

  • increasing rate of absorption of glucose by cells (particularly skeletal muscles cells)
  • increasing respiratory rate of cells
  • increasing rate glycogenesis
  • increasing rate of glucose to fat conversion
  • inhibiting release of glucagon from alpha pancreatic islets
15
Q

Why is insulin constantly released from beta pancreatic islets?

A

Enzymes in the liver break it down, so is constantly released to maintain its effect