Question

What role does the pancreas play during digestion? What part of the pancreas carries out this role? How does this vary across the glands themselves?

Answer 1

Pancreas carry out digestive functions which is the exocrine role of pancreas. Pancreas secrete enzymes that help in breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Pancreatic cells known as acini secrete these digestive enzymes.

The proenzymes trypsinogen and chymotrypsin are secreted by pancreas which are activated in duodenum to trypsin and chymotrypsin. Other enzymes secreted by pancreas are lipase and amylase.

Trypsin and chymotrypsin helps in protein digestion. Lipase helps in digestion of fats and lipids. Amylase breaks down carbohydrates into small chain glucose.