Where does this come from, and can I check it?

Beta cells release insulin and alpha cells release glucagon from the same islets. The figure is taken from NIDDK, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a human body fact?

Yes. It sits on the Human Body shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

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Clusters of cells in the pancreas control blood sugar

Beta cells release insulin and alpha cells release glucagon from the same islets Around a million islets of Langerhans are scattered through the pancreas, each holding a few thousand hormone-producing cells. Beta cells detect rising glucose and release insulin, while alpha cells do the reverse when glucose falls. Insulin and glucagon act on liver, muscle and fat to move glucose in and out of storage. It sits in Mondo's human body collection, one of 200 facts that each trace back to the reference below.

Where this comes from

NIDDK

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Science trivia

More facts like this

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and regulatory hormonesIslet cells secrete insulin and glucagon to control blood sugar levels Insulin was first given to a patient in 1922A Toronto team turned a fatal diagnosis into a treatable condition within months Hormone levels are held steady by feedback loopsRising levels of a hormone usually switch off the signals that produced it Four tiny neck glands regulate blood calciumParathyroid hormone raises calcium by acting on bone, kidney and vitamin D Aldosterone tells the kidney to hold on to sodiumThis adrenal hormone increases sodium reabsorption while pushing potassium out The stomach releases a hormone that builds hungerGhrelin rises before expected meals and falls again once food arrives

Tags: pancreas, insulin, hormones

Clusters of cells in the pancreas control blood sugar: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: Beta cells release insulin and alpha cells release glucagon from the same islets. The figure is taken from NIDDK, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a human body fact?: Yes. It sits on the Human Body shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.