Question

Which of the following is a mixed gland?
(a) Thyroid Gland
(b) Adrenal Gland
(c) Pituitary Gland
(d) Pancreas

Answer 1

Hint: This is the organ that performs both exocrine and endocrine functions. As an Exocrine, it releases enzymes to digest our meals (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and acids) and as an Endocrine, It releases hormones, insulin, and glucagon, that help regulate our blood sugar level.

Complete step by step answer:
The pancreas is a heterocrine gland as it acts both as an endocrine and an exocrine gland. It secretes insulin hormone into the blood and acts as an endocrine gland and while it secretes digestive enzymes and juice through the pancreatic duct, it acts as an exocrine gland. Hence, the pancreas is a mixed gland.
The endocrine secretion of the pancreas include the following:
- The endocrine hormones are synthesized, modified, and stored from a cluster of cells known as pancreatic islets or islets of Langerhans. They are named after Paul Langerhans who discovered the endocrine portion.
- Glucagon is produced from a group of cells known as alpha cells. Glucagon helps in raising blood glucose levels.
- Insulin is secreted by the beta cells it helps in lowering blood glucose levels. The beta cells are most numerous and are present at the center of islets of Langerhans.
- Delta cells: These cells secrete the hormone somatostatin that is responsible for the inhibition of both insulin and glucagon secretion.
- F cells: These cells are responsible for the secretion of pancreatic polypeptide. It is found in the blood after the consumption of meals and helps in controlling the secretion of pancreatic enzymes.

So, the correct answer is ‘(d) Pancreas.’

Additional Information:
- Thyroid gland is situated between the trachea and larynx in the neck of us and secretes thyroxine hormone which increases oxygen consumption by metabolically active tissues.
- The pituitary gland is the master gland that regulates the activity of other endocrine glands and secretes many hormones like growth hormone, follicle- stimulating hormone, thyroid- stimulating hormone, etc.
- Adrenal gland is present on the upper side of the kidneys and has two parts, the adrenal cortex which secretes glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex corticoids, and the adrenal medulla which secretes adrenaline and nor- adrenaline hormone.

Note: Many digestive enzymes are secreted by the pancreas which includes pancreatic amylase which helps in breaking down of starch into disaccharide maltose, pancreatic lipase helps in the degradation of triglyceride, proteases are a group of proenzymes including trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase, and elastase. Nucleases and peptidases are also secreted by the pancreas.