Final answer:
The insulin-secreting accessory organ of the digestive system that serves as both an endocrine and exocrine gland is the pancreas. This organ not only releases hormones like insulin into the bloodstream to control blood glucose levels but also secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum to aid digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The insulin-secreting accessory organ of the digestive system that is both an endocrine and exocrine gland is the pancreas. This complex gland, situated near the stomach, plays a vital dual role in the body’s systems. As an endocrine gland, it secretes important hormones like insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream, which are crucial for regulating blood glucose levels. Furthermore, as an exocrine gland, the pancreas produces pancreatic juice that contains enzymes like pancreatic amylase, which is essential for the completion of carbohydrate digestion in the small intestine.
The exocrine component comprises acinar cells grouped in clusters known as acini, which contribute to digestion by secreting pancreatic juice through the pancreatic duct into the duodenum. This juice contains not only amylase but also lipases and proteases, which collectively facilitate the breakdown of fats and proteins in the alimentary canal. Contrasting with this exocrine function, the endocrine aspect of the pancreas is characterized by the presence of pancreatic islets, or Islets of Langerhans, containing beta cells that produce insulin and alpha cells that produce glucagon, both of which are paramount in the metabolism of glucose.