Pancreas
What does it do?
Its job is to make enzymes to break down food. Its makes insulin and glucagon to manage blood sugar levels.
Enzymes
What does it do?
It breaks down fat and starches.
How does it work?
The enzymes go into the small intestines to be break down food.
Insulin
What does it do?
Its job is bring down blood sugar levels.
How does it work?
When blood sugar levels are high, the pancreas makes insulin. Insulin allows glucose into the cells. THe cells use glucose for energy.
Glucagon
What does it do?
Its job is to bring up blood sugars levels.
How does it work?
When blood glucose levels are low, glucagon tells the liver to release stored glucose.
- Structure & Function of the Digestive System. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7041-the-structure-anDisease-function-oFunction-the-digestive-system. Updated September 13, 2018. Accessed December 10, 2020.
- Your Digestive System & How it Works. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works. Published December 2017. Accessed December 10, 2020.