What are the parts of the pancreas that secrete hormones; what are the hormones that the pancreas secretes? Describe the complimentary role each of the pancreas' hormones play in regulating blood sugar levels.
The beta islets of Langerhans in the pancreas secrete insulin while the alpha islets of Langerhans secrete glucagon. Insulin's net effect on the body is to reduce glucose concentration in the blood. Insulin stimulates glycogen formation and storage and glucose oxidation in liver and muscle cells as well as stimulating muscle and adipose tissue cells to absorb glucose and convert it into protein and fat, respectively. Glucagon acts in the opposite manner stimulating conversion of glycogen into glucose in liver and muscle cells in order to raise blood-glucose levels.
