The Pancreas: A Marvel of the Digestive System

5. The Pancreas Secretes Glucagon

In response to low blood sugar levels, the pancreas secretes glucagon, a hormone originating from the organ's alpha cells. Similar to insulin in that it acts on the liver, glucagon's main role is to prevent blood glucose levels from dropping too low. In addition to stimulating the conversion of glycogen to glucose — a process called glycogenolysis — glucagon also promotes the production of glucose from amino acids and reduces the amount of glucose consumed by the liver.

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