Question

What is pancreas? Mention the major secretions of pancreas that are helpful in digestion.

Answer 1

The pancreas is a compound (both exocrine and endocrine) elongated organ situated between the limbs of 'U' shaped duodenum.
Internal structure of pancreas consist of two parts, i.e., the exocrine and endocrine part. (i) Exocrine part consists of rounded lobules called acini that are involved in the secretion of alkaline pancreatic juice of pH 8.4. The pancreatic juice is mainly involved in the digestion of starch, proteins, fats and nucleic acids. (ii) Endocrine part is involved in the secretion of hormones like, insulin and glucagon that regulate glucose metabolism.