Pancreas
The Pancreas' exocrine functions are to secrete digestive enzymes and sodium bicarbonate ions to neutralize the stomach acid and establish a pH of 7.1-8.2 which will not only neutralize the enzyme pepsin, but activate the pancreatic enzymes. Pancreatic amylase can hydrolyze starch into simple sugars and it is an important digestive enzyme seeming as it is a source of energy. Pancreas has both a exocrine (secretory) and endocrine (hormonal) function.
Pancreatic fluid is made up of many enzymes that are released into the duodenum. These secreted enzymes are:
Pancreatic fluid is made up of many enzymes that are released into the duodenum. These secreted enzymes are:
- Trypsin & chymotrypsin, digest proteins (proteases)
- Pancreatic amylase, converts starches and glycogen into simpler sugars
- Lipase, digests fat