AAMC FL Practice Exam

Which pancreatic cells are involved in hormone release?

1. Exocrine cells

2. Islet cells

3. Acinar cells

4. Beta cells only

The correct answer is: Islet cells

The islet cells of the pancreas, also known as the islets of Langerhans, are responsible for the release of hormones that regulate blood glucose levels and other metabolic processes. These cells comprise various types, including alpha cells, beta cells, and delta cells. Alpha cells secrete glucagon, which increases blood glucose levels by promoting glycogen breakdown in the liver. Beta cells are significant for insulin production, which lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells. Delta cells release somatostatin, which regulates the functions of both alpha and beta cells, and thus, overall hormonal balance. Exocrine cells, which produce digestive enzymes that assist in the breakdown of food, do not release hormones into the bloodstream; instead, they release these enzymes into the digestive tract. Acinar cells are specifically a type of exocrine cell found in the pancreas that synthesizes and secretes digestive enzymes, and therefore are not involved in hormone regulation. While beta cells are crucial for insulin release specifically, the broader answer encompasses all islet cells, highlighting the collaborative function of all cell types within the islets in hormone secretion.