Which hormone is secreted by pancreatic beta cells?

Which hormone is secreted by pancreatic beta cells?

• A. Insulin
• B. Glucagon
• C. Somatostatin
• D. Amylin

Answer: (A)

Pancreatic beta cells secrete insulin in response to rising blood glucose. Insulin acts to move glucose from the blood into liver, muscle, and fat cells, promoting glucose uptake and storage as glycogen or fat, which lowers blood glucose levels. While beta cells also secrete amylin alongside insulin, the hormone most directly linked to regulating blood sugar and classically associated with beta cells is insulin. Glucagon comes from alpha cells and raises blood glucose, while somatostatin from delta cells inhibits the release of other hormones; amylin has a supportive role by slowing gastric emptying and dampening glucagon release, but it is not the primary regulator in this context.

Pancreatic beta cells secrete insulin in response to rising blood glucose. Insulin acts to move glucose from the blood into liver, muscle, and fat cells, promoting glucose uptake and storage as glycogen or fat, which lowers blood glucose levels. While beta cells also secrete amylin alongside insulin, the hormone most directly linked to regulating blood sugar and classically associated with beta cells is insulin. Glucagon comes from alpha cells and raises blood glucose, while somatostatin from delta cells inhibits the release of other hormones; amylin has a supportive role by slowing gastric emptying and dampening glucagon release, but it is not the primary regulator in this context.