! Islets of Langerhans
!!Anatomy
In the pancreas, besides the exocrine ((Digestive - Pancreas Gland|parenchyma)) producing digestive juice, there are islets of ((Endocrine - System Overview|endocrine)) hormone producing cells all over the surface of the organ. The hormones synthesized in these __islets of Langerhans__ are mainly insulin and glucagon for energy management: the distribution and storage of glucose.

{img fileId="257" thumb="box"}graphic: wikipedia, B.Lausen

__Glucose__ (sugar) is the nutrient used everywhere in the body for power generation. It is soluble in water and thereby transferred from the intestines to the bloodstream by diffusion. The ((Circulatory - Blood|blood)) sends it to the organs. All cells acquire energy in form of __adenosintriphosphate__ (ATP) in their mitochondria via the respiratory chain, and even the heat generated in the reaction is used for maintenance of the body temperature.

((Nervous - System Overview|Nerve cells)) are supplied directly and exclusively by glucose. Therefore, the organism must keep the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream constant. 

*__Insulin__ is needed to transport glucose into ((Musculoskeletal - Skeletal Muscles|muscle)) and ((Integumentary - Skin - Adipose Tissue|fatty tissues)), and to transform the unused energy into a storable form, __glycogen__. The ((Digestive - Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas Overview|liver)) is another store for great amounts of glycogen.
Insulin also supports fat storage as body fat, and suppresses degradation of fat (lipolysis). Insulin is released after each meal.
*__Glucagon__ is the partner and antagonist of insulin: it is needed to transform glycogen into glucose and to transfer it into the bloodstream. Glucagon also supports degradation of fat.

The blood sugar level feeds back into the system to release or suppress both hormones.

{img fileId="187" thumb="box"} graphic: Kora Klapp

!!META-Organ Tissues
__((Endocrine - Pancreas - Alpha Islet Cells|Alpha Islet Cells))__ (CC -/+) Stress (resistance, avoiding confrontation, or disgust): Reduction of glucagon production 

__((Endocrine - Pancreas - Beta Islet Cells|Beta Islet Cells))__ (CC -/+) Stress (resistance, avoiding confrontation, or disgust): Reduction of insulin production 

