Final answer:
The pancreas controls metabolism through insulin and glucagon, with insulin produced by beta cells lowering blood glucose, and glucagon produced by alpha cells raising it. This hormonal control maintains blood glucose homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of control over metabolism when the pancreas secretes hormones insulin and glucagon is a hormonal regulatory mechanism. These hormones work together to maintain blood glucose levels within a narrow, healthy range. The beta cells of the pancreatic islets secrete the hormone insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake by the body's cells. Conversely, the alpha cells secrete the hormone glucagon, which increases blood glucose levels by promoting the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver. These two hormones form a feedback loop to regulate the homeostasis of blood glucose.
In conditions such as diabetes, where insulin production is impaired, blood glucose levels can become unregulated leading to high blood sugar and various complications. The pancreas plays a crucial role in the body's metabolic processes by regulating the level of glucose in the blood through the secretion of insulin and glucagon.