Pancreas
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A computer generated image of a pancreas.
The pancreas is an organ in the Digestive System and an endocrine gland.
The Pancreas and Digestion
- The pancreas produces digestive enzymes including pancreatic amylase, trypsin (which is a type of protease and lipase.
- The digestive enzymes are passed down the pancreatic duct which joins with the bile duct before arriving in the Small Intestine.
The Pancreas as an Endocrine Gland
- The pancreas secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon to regulate blood glucose levels.
- When the blood glucose level is too high the pancreas produces insulin to reduce the blood glucose level.
- When the blood glucose level is too low the pancreas produces glucagon to increase the blood glucose level.
- The liver is a target organ for the hormone glucagon and insulin.
- In Type 1 Diabetes the pancreas is damaged and cannot produce insulin to regulate blood glucose levels.
- In Type 2 Diabetes the pancreas may be overworked having to produce much more insulin than it would in a healthy animal.
Extra Information
References
AQA
- Pancreas, page 36, 38, 49, 161-165, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Pancreas, pages 100, 103, 191, 192, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Pancreas, pages 12, 13, 14, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 2, Hodder, AQA
- Pancreas, pages 31, 73, 74, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Pancreas, pages 45, 47, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA
- Pancreas, pages 61, 62, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Pancreas, pages 67, 181, 184, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA
- Pancreas, pages 73, 207, 210, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA
Edexcel
- Pancreas, page 142, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel
- Pancreas, pages 224, 238, 239, GCSE Biology, CGP, Edexcel
- Pancreas, pages 77, 81, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel