Question

Explain the role of pancreas in digestion of various food materials.

Answer 1

Pancreas is an endocrine gland which produces hormones like insulin, glucagon, somatostatin. The pancreas is also a digestive organ. The pancreatic juice secreted by it contains digestive enzymes. These enzymes are involved in the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. It secretes Trypsinogen, which is an inactive protease, pancreatic amylase and pancreatic lipase. These enzymes help to further break down the carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Protease enzymes are secreted by the stomach, pancreas and small intestine and they digest proteins. Carbohydrase enzymes (amylase) are secreted by the stomach, pancreas and small intestine and they digest complex starch (polysaccharide) molecules. Lipase is secreted by the pancreas and the walls of the small intestine. It digests complex fat (or lipid) molecules.