The pancreas is made up of exocrine and endocrine cells. Endocrine cells are responsible for creating and secreting insulin and it's counterpart glucagon. Glucose is effectively the energy that keeps the cells in the body functioning. Without glucose the body would starve. Glucose is absorbed from food via the stomach. The bloodstream passes glucose to all the cells in the body.
Within the pancreatic islets are many smaller cells. Two of these cells produce the hormones insulin and glucagon.
The beta cells create and secrete insulin.
The alpha cells create and secrete glucagon.
Insulin has the effect of acting on many cells in the body to create glycogen. Glycogen is a form of storage for glucose in cells. The principal cells that insulin works on are the liver, fat and muscle cells. Thus glycogen is stored in these cells. This has the effect of keeping the glucose level in the blood to a constant and normal level.
When the blood sugar level is low, glucagon is created and secreted. The glucose can then by used by the body's cells to continue functioning via the bloodstream.
Within the pancreatic islets are many smaller cells. Two of these cells produce the hormones insulin and glucagon.
The beta cells create and secrete insulin.
The alpha cells create and secrete glucagon.
Insulin has the effect of acting on many cells in the body to create glycogen. Glycogen is a form of storage for glucose in cells. The principal cells that insulin works on are the liver, fat and muscle cells. Thus glycogen is stored in these cells. This has the effect of keeping the glucose level in the blood to a constant and normal level.
When the blood sugar level is low, glucagon is created and secreted. The glucose can then by used by the body's cells to continue functioning via the bloodstream.
See my other guide on Diabetes
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