ISLET CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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Islet cells refer to the specific type of cells found in clusters within the pancreas known as pancreatic islets or islets of Langerhans. These specialized cells are primarily responsible for regulating the body's blood sugar levels and play a crucial role in the production and release of hormones involved in glucose metabolism.
Islet cells include several distinct cell types, each with their own specific functions. The most abundant cell type in the islets is the beta cell, which produces and releases the hormone insulin. Insulin plays a vital role in lowering blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake and storage of glucose in cells throughout the body.
Other prominent cell types within the islets include the alpha cells, responsible for producing the hormone glucagon, which has the opposite effect of insulin. Glucagon acts to increase blood sugar levels by promoting the release of stored glucose back into the bloodstream.
In addition to beta and alpha cells, islet cells also consist of delta cells that secrete the hormone somatostatin, which helps regulate the release of insulin and glucagon. Moreover, islet cells contain gamma cells that produce the hormone pancreatic polypeptide, involved in controlling appetite and reducing the secretion of other hormones.
Overall, islet cells function together as a complex network to maintain the body's blood sugar balance, and any dysfunction or damage to these cells can lead to various metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus.
Common Misspellings for ISLET CELLS
- uslet cells
- jslet cells
- kslet cells
- oslet cells
- 9slet cells
- 8slet cells
- ialet cells
- izlet cells
- ixlet cells
- idlet cells
- ielet cells
- iwlet cells
- isket cells
- ispet cells
- isoet cells
- islwt cells
- islst cells
- isldt cells
- islrt cells
- isl4t cells
Etymology of ISLET CELLS
The word "islet cells" comes from the combination of two separate terms: "islet" and "cells".
The term "islet" refers to a small island or a little mass of land surrounded by a larger body. In the context of biology and medicine, an islet often refers to an "islet of Langerhans", which is a cluster of cells found in the pancreas. These islets were first discovered by German pathologist Paul Langerhans in 1869, who described them as small islands of cells among the pancreatic tissue.
The term "cells" refers to the basic structural and functional units of living organisms. In the context of biology and medicine, cells are the building blocks of tissues, organs, and systems in the body.
Therefore, "islet cells" specifically refers to the cluster of cells found in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
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