the pancreas gland

stimulated by food molecules

• beta cells (insulin)

  • lower blood glucose levels

    • too much- low blood glucose, hypoglycemia

    • not enough- high blood glucose, diabetes mellitus

• alpha cells (glucagon)

  • raise blood glucose levels

    • too much- high blood glucose

    • not enough- low blood glucose

• the pancreas has both endo and exocrine glands

  • endo- no ducts

  • exo- ducts

• the endocrine part of the pancreas is made of groups of cells called the islets of Langerhans that look like tiny islands