Question

Pancreas acts as both endocrine and exocrine gland. Justify giving reason.

Answer 1

Pancreas:

• The pancreas located in the abdomen region is an elongated and tapered organ. It secretes both digestive enzymes collectively called pancreatic juice and hormones, including insulin, for the maintenance of the body.

Exocrine Gland:

• Exocrine glands are those kinds of glands that release their secretion with the help of ducts at specific sites.

Endocrine Gland:

• Endocrine glands or also known as ductless glands are a type of glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Pancreas as an endocrine and exocrine gland:

• A part of the pancreas secretes its enzymes known as pancreatic juice into the pancreatic ducts, which then releases them into the duodenum for its action. It shows the behavior of the exocrine gland.
• In contrast, another part of the pancreas is also known to secrete various hormones like insulin and glucagon, which regulate the sugar concentration of the body directly into the blood. It shows the behavior of the endocrine gland.

Hence, it can be said that the pancreas acts as both exocrine and endocrine glands.