PRELIMS

Liver, Pancreas, and Glandular Functions

The Liver and Pancreas are the primary accessory glands of the human body, regulating digestion and metabolism.

I. The Liver: The Body's Largest Gland

• Weight: ~1.5–2 kg.
• Roles:
  • Bile Secretion: Stored in the Gall Bladder (alkaline, pH 7.7). Emulsifies fats and kills bacteria.
  • Metabolism: Converts excess amino acids into Urea (Deamination). Stores excess glucose as Glycogen (Glycogenesis).
  • Protein Production: Fibrinogen (clotting) and Heparin (prevents internal clotting).
  • RBC Destruction: The burial ground for dead RBCs.
  • Storage: Reserves Iron, Copper, and Vitamins (A/D/B12).
• Note: Jaundice occurs when the liver cannot remove Bilirubin from the blood.

II. The Pancreas: The Second Largest Gland

• Nature: Dual gland (Endocrine and Exocrine).
• Pancreatic Juice: Alkaline (~pH 8); contains enzymes (Trypsin, Amylase, Lipase) for complete digestion.
• Islets of Langerhans: Endocrine part of the pancreas.
  • Beta ( ) Cells: Insulin (Discovered by Banting & Best, 1921). Controls glucose glycogen.
    • Deficiency: Diabetes.
    • Excess: Hypoglycemia (Vision/Reproduction loss).
  • Alpha ( ) Cells: Glucagon. Re-converts glycogen glucose.
  • Delta ( ) Cells: Somatostatin. Increases assimilation duration.

UPSC Relevance

The Liver and Pancreas are critical for metabolic Science & Technology.

• Metabolic Disorders: The distinction between Insulin (lowers sugar) and Glucagon (raises sugar) is vital for understanding diabetes.
• Liver Diagnostics: The presence of poison residue in the liver makes it a key forensic organ.
• Secretions: Transitioning from acidic (stomach) to alkaline (duodenum) via Bile/Pancreatic juice.