F -- ISLETS OF LANGERHANS
29. The Islets of Langerhans are scattered groups of coordinated
cells
(T I S S U E S) located with an
organ known as the P A N C R E A S.
As you guessed, they are named for
their discoverer, Doctor
L A N G E R H A N S. While much
of the pancreas produces enzymes
for the D I G E S T I V E
system, the Islets of Langerhans produce
two different H O R M O N E S
for the endocrine system.
30. One of the hormones of the Islets of Langerhans is I N S
U L I N .
This hormone converts excess G L U C
O S E into a complex starch
(P O L Y S A C C H A R I D E) known
as G Y C O G E N. (This is
the process of D E H Y D R A T
I O N S Y N T H E S I S)
31. When this hormone functions properly by binding to
its cellular
P R O T E I N receptor sites, the
concentration of glucose in your body
tissues will then start to DECREASE.
32. The other hormone of the I S L E T S of L A N G E R
H A N S is
known as G L U C A G O N. This hormone converts the starch
glycogen back into single G L U C O S E molecules. (This
is the
process of H Y D R O L Y S I S.)
33. When this hormone also binds to its
protein R E C E P T O R sites.
the
concentration of glucose in your body tissues will then start to
INCREASE.
34. Since one hormone increases blood G L U C O S E, while the
others
lowers it, their actions are opposite (A N T A G O N I S T I C) to each
other. Together, this hormonal pair tends to keep blood sugar levels near
constant levels (H O M E O S T A S I S).
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