Module 2 Lesson 6 - 2

The Anatomy of the Pancreas

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Read page 456

Located in the space between the stomach and the first loop of the small intestine, the pancreas is a dual function organ. In Biology 20, you learned about the digestive enzymes that it produces. Scattered among the enzyme-producing cells are clusters of cells called the islets of Langerhans (or simply islets) that produce pancreatic hormones. Most cells in the islets are beta cells, which produce insulin. A few elongated alpha cells produce glucagon. Look at the photomicrograph and see if you can distinguish the two types of cells in the islet.

Note that the small round pink beta cells are more numerous and occupy most of the central area, and the larger alpha cells with the dark purple tint are located around the periphery.

Watch and Listen

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To give you a better understanding of the structures of the pancreas, read page 456 in your textbook; then, view the following segment called The Pancreas from Biologix-11 (2 minutes).