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Question no. 37143

Which organ or mechanism in the human body regulates blood glucose concentrations?

Select your answer for: Which organ or mechanism in the human body regulates blood glucose concentrations?
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Answer: B. Islets of Langerhans

Explanation

The Islets of Langerhans are specialized clusters of endocrine cells embedded within human pancreatic tissue. They contain beta cells that synthesize and secrete insulin to lower elevated blood glucose concentrations. Conversely, alpha cells within these islets release glucagon when blood sugar levels drop too low. The pancreas functions as both an exocrine digestive gland and an endocrine hormone-producing organ. Glucose regulation is a critical homeostatic mechanism that maintains stable energy supplies for body cells. Discovered by Paul Langerhans, these microscopic cell clusters account for a small percentage of pancreatic mass.

The pituitary gland secretes growth hormones and tropic factors, but it does not directly regulate blood sugar. The hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system through the pituitary gland, not glucose control. The spleen is a lymphoid organ responsible for filtering blood and recycling red blood cells, not metabolism.

Category
Everyday Science
Topic
—
Difficulty
medium

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