what hormone does the pancreas produce

The pancreas produces hormones in its endocrine cells, which are gathered in clusters known as islets of Langerhans and monitor what is happening in the blood. The most important hormone that the pancreas produces is insulin, which is released by the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in response to food. Its role is to lower glucose levels in the bloodstream and promote the storage of glucose in fat, muscle, liver, and other body tissues. Alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans produce another important hormone, glucagon, which has the opposite effect to insulin, by helping release energy into the bloodstream from where it is stored, thus raising blood sugar levels. Therefore, glucagon and insulin work in tandem to control the balance of glucose in the bloodstream. Other hormones produced by the pancreas include pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin, which are believed to play a part in regulating and fine-tuning the insulin and glucagon-producing cells.