Question

What is the function of pancreas and gallbladder in digestion?

Answer 1

Hint: The pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine gland. It is located in the abdomen. The gallbladder is a small pouch like structure that is found below the liver. It is the store house of the bile which is secreted by the liver.

Complete answer:
Pancreas- It is a gland which is present in the abdomen. It converts the food into simpler substance and energy. The exocrine gland of the pancreas aids in digestion. It secretes pancreatic juice which travels through the pancreatic duct to the duodenum. This pancreatic juice neutralises the acid and the enzymes present in the pancreatic juice metabolise carbohydrates (by amylase), proteins (by trypsin and chymotrypsin) and fats (by lipase). These enzymes are secreted in the inactive form by the pancreas. They only get activated in the stomach at suitable pH.

Gall bladder- The bile produced by the liver is stored in the gallbladder. The bile is concentrated before it is released to the small intestine. The gallbladder releases the bile in the duodenum via, common bile duct. The bile helps in emulsification of the fats in the partly digested food. The bile consists of water and bile salt.

Note: The other function of bile is to secrete bilirubin. The bilirubin is the product of breakdown of haemoglobin. The endocrine gland of the pancreas produces hormones like insulin which reduces the sugar level in the body. The glucagon which raises the glucose level in the body and prevents it from getting low.