Which of the following hormones is secreted by the Beta cell of Islet of Langerhans of Pancreas?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — C, Insulin. The islets of Langerhans are the endocrine part of the pancreas and contain distinct cell types. The beta (B) cells secrete insulin, which lowers blood glucose by promoting its uptake and storage in cells. (The alpha cells secrete glucagon, which raises blood glucose.) So the beta-cell hormone is insulin.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex (it regulates sodium/potassium and blood pressure), not by the pancreas.  (b) Adrenalin (epinephrine) is secreted by the adrenal medulla in the fight-or-flight response — it is an adrenal hormone, not a pancreatic one.  (d) Glucagon is a genuine pancreatic islet hormone, but it is secreted by the alpha cells (not beta) and it raises blood glucose — the opposite cell type and action to insulin.

Concept: The islets of Langerhans form the endocrine pancreas. Their beta cells secrete insulin (which lowers blood sugar), the alpha cells secrete glucagon (which raises blood sugar) and the delta cells secrete somatostatin. This question turns on matching the beta cell to insulin.

State PCS 2023 Q80 — Science & Technology PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2023 Q80 — Science & Technology PYQ with Answer