Question

Name the hormones secreted by the alpha cells of islets of langerhans of the pancreas.

Answer 1

The pancreatic islets or islets of Langerhans are the regions of the pancreas that contain its endocrine ( hormone –producing ) cells. Islets of pancreas are important in the metabolism of glucose.

Complete answer:
Each iselets is made up of a central core of beta cells, surrounded by a mantle of alpha, delta, epsilon and pancreatic polypeptide. In general beta cells composed up to 60% of islets mass, alpha cells comprise up to 30% of islets mass, and delta , epison and pancreatic polypeptide cells make up the remaining 20% of islets mass. Hormones produced in the pancreatic islets are secreted directly into the blood flow by ( at least ) five types of cells.

-Alpha cells or A cells producing glucagon
-Beta cells or B cells producing insulin and amylin. They play a significant role in diabetes.
-Delta cells or D cells producing somatostatin
-Epsilon cells producing ghrelin.
-PP cells or gamma cells or F cells producing pancreatic polypeptide.

The paracrine system of the pancreatic islets has the following structure:
-Glucose / insulin: it activates beta cells and inhibits alpha cells
-Glycogen / glucagon: it activates alpha cells which activates beta cells and delta cells.
-Somatostatin: it inhibits alpha cells and beta cells.
Hence glucagon or glycogen the hormones secreted by the alpha cells of islets of langerhans of the pancreas.

Note: The alpha cells of the islets of langerhans produce an opposing hormone, glucagon, which release glucose from the liver and fatty acids from fat tissue. The islets of langerhans are clusters of pancreatic cells that were discovered by dr. paul langerhans, a pathologist..