Hormone secreted by islets of Langerhans of the pancreas is?

Appeared in: DSSSB Public Health Nurse - 2015

Explanation

The islets of Langerhans are clusters of endocrine cells in the pancreas.
These islets contain beta (β) cells, which constitute about 60% of the islet cells.
Beta cells are responsible for synthesizing and secreting insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood glucose.
Insulin lowers blood glucose by promoting its uptake into liver, muscle, and fat cells.

Option A: Progesterone is a female sex hormone primarily produced by the ovaries and placenta during pregnancy. It is not secreted by the pancreas.
Option B: Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, produced mainly in the testes. It is not secreted by the pancreas.
Option D: Hemoglobin is a protein found within red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport. It is not a hormone and is not secreted by any gland.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Endocrine Functions of the Pancreas as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A deficiency in insulin production or the body's inability to use insulin effectively leads to diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels.
Nurses play a vital role in managing diabetic patients, which includes monitoring blood glucose, administering insulin, and educating patients on diet, exercise, and medication adherence.
What if? If the beta cells were destroyed (as in Type 1 Diabetes), the body would be unable to produce insulin. The correct action would be to administer exogenous insulin to manage blood glucose levels.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Hormone' and 'islets of Langerhans of the pancreas'.
This is a factual recall question that requires knowledge of the endocrine system.
Recall or look up the specific hormones produced by the pancreas.
Evaluate each option: Progesterone and Testosterone are sex hormones. Hemoglobin is a blood protein. Insulin is a hormone known to be related to the pancreas and blood sugar.
Connect the function of the islets of Langerhans (endocrine part of the pancreas) to its primary hormones, insulin and glucagon.
Select the option that correctly identifies a hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 3 p. 1

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 2 p. 61-63

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 1102-1104

Practise the full DSSSB Public Health Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.