Question

Cells of pancreas that store and release digestive enzymes into ducts that lead to pancreatic duct

a) Alpha cells
b) Beta cells
c) Acinar cells
d) Islet cells

Answer 1

c) Acinar cells in the pancreas are responsible for storing and releasing digestive enzymes into ducts that lead to the pancreatic duct, contributing to the digestion of food in the small intestine.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cells of the pancreas that store and release digestive enzymes into ducts leading to the pancreatic duct are called acinar cells. These cells are part of the exocrine system of the pancreas and are responsible for secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes. This juice plays a crucial role in the digestion of food within the small intestine. The other cell types mentioned, such as alpha cells, beta cells, and islet cells, have endocrine functions. Specifically, alpha cells produce glucagon, beta cells produce insulin, and the islet cells are the collective term for the clusters that include alpha, beta, delta, and PP cells which secrete various hormones.

Answer 2

Acinar cells in the pancreas are responsible for storing and releasing digestive enzymes into ducts. These cells are a vital part of the exocrine function of the pancreas, different from the endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cells of the pancreas that store and release digestive enzymes into ducts leading to the pancreatic duct are called acinar cells. These cells are part of the exocrine function of the pancreas, secreting pancreatic juice which contains these enzymes. Within the pancreas, there are also endocrine cells known as the pancreatic islets or islets of Langerhans, which include alpha cells that produce glucagon, beta cells that produce insulin, delta cells that secrete somatostatin, and gamma cells that secrete pancreatic polypeptide. It's essential to distinguish between these different cell types as their roles are distinct; alpha cells and beta cells are involved in regulating blood glucose levels, not in secreting digestive enzymes.