PANCREAS (PANCREATIC JUICE)

This is situated below the stomach. Its function is to produce exocrine secretion, pancreatic juice and endocrine secretion, which is hormone insulin. Pancreatic juice contains numerous things, such as;

Mineral salts; (sodium hydrogencarbonate) these help the intestinal enzymes to operate efficiently by neutralizing the acid chime in the stomach, thus keeping the pH at a neutral balance.

Proteases; Inclusive of trypsinogen, when activated forms endopeptidase called trypsis. This hydrolyses proteins into peptides and also activates chymotrypsinogen in chymotrypsin. Carboxypeptidase converts peptides into smaller peptides, or even amino acids.

Pancreatic amylase; this begins in the mouth; it completes the hydrolysis of starch to maltose.

Lipase; lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and monoglycerides, again by hydrolysis.

Nuclease; converts nucleic acids into nucleotides.

Exocrine pancreas; this is made up of a large amount of lobules, which in turn are made up of small alveoli. Secretory cells line the walls. This works in conjunction with the duodenum. Its main function is to produce pancreatic juice that contains the enzymes which help digest carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Endocrine pancreas; the function of this is to secrete hormones, insulin and glycogen, the main bodies responsible for the blood glucose levels.