Final answer:
Pancreatic acinar cells primarily secrete digestive enzymes into the duodenum to aid in the digestion of nutrients. They are part of the pancreas' exocrine function, which is separate from the endocrine function that involves the secretion of hormones like insulin and glucagon by the pancreatic islets.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pancreatic acinar cells secrete several substances as part of the pancreas' role in digestion. However, we must differentiate between the exocrine function, involving acinar cells, and the endocrine function, involving pancreatic islets. Identifying what pancreatic acinar cells secrete, the options are:
- Digestive enzymes: This includes a variety of enzymes such as pancreatic lipase and pancreatic nuclease, which help in breaking down lipids and nucleic acids, respectively. These enzymes are secreted into the pancreatic ducts and ultimately reach the duodenum where they aid in digestion.
- Mucin: While acinar cells do produce some mucins as part of the pancreatic juice, it is not their primary secretion.
- Hormones: The hormones such as insulin and glucagon are secreted by the endocrine cells in the islets of Langerhans, not by the acinar cells.
From the options provided,
b. Digestive enzymes should be checked as the correct secretion by pancreatic acinar cells.