Question

How many kinds of cells are found in the islet of Langerhans?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 5

Answer 1

Hint: The islets of Langerhans are hormone-producing regions of the pancreas. They contain different types of endocrine cells, each of which secretes a different kind of hormone.
The hormones produced are – insulin, glucagon, polypeptide, somatostatin, and ghrelin.
These hormones are directly secreted into the bloodstream and help in maintaining blood glucose levels in the body.

Complete answer:
5 kinds of cells are found in islets of Langerhans.
The 5 cells of the islets of Langerhans are:
> Alpha cells: these cells produce the hormone glucagon. Glucagon helps in increasing the blood sugar levels by signaling the liver to convert glycogen to glucose. Alpha cells make up around 15-20% of all the islet cells.

> Beta cells: these cells produce the hormones insulin and amylin. Insulin helps in lowering the blood sugar levels by stimulating cells to take up glucose. Amylin prevents spiking of glucose levels. The beta cells make up 65-80% of total islet cells.

> Gamma cells: these cells produce the hormone pancreatic polypeptide. This hormone helps in regulating the endocrine and exocrine secretions of the pancreas. The gamma cells make up 3-5% of the total islet cell population.

> Delta cells: these cells produce the hormone somatostatin. Somatostatin suppresses the release of other pancreatic hormones. These cells make up 3-10% of all the islet cells.

> Epsilon cells: these cells produce the hormone ghrelin. Ghrelin helps in stimulating hunger.
These cells make up less than 1% of the total islet cells.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: The cells of the islets have the ability to influence each other. This is done through paracrine and autocrine signaling. Insulin inhibits the alpha cells and activates the beta cells. Glucagon can activate alpha cells, which in turn activate beta and delta cells. Somatostatin inhibits alpha and beta cells.