alpha (AL-fa) cell
a type of cell in the pancreas. Alpha cells make and release a hormone called glucagon. The body sends a signal to the alpha cells to make glucagon when blood glucose falls too low. Then glucagon reaches the liver where it tells it to release glucose into the blood for energy. | ||||
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Alpha Cell definition was found in categories: Medicine(1) Encyclopedia(1)
Alpha Cell Definition from Medicine Dictionaries & Glossaries
| Diabetes Glossary |
Alpha Cell
A type of cell in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas that make and release a hormone (glucagon) that raises the level of glucose in the blood.
See also beta cell ; delta cell .
A type of cell in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas that make and release a hormone (glucagon) that raises the level of glucose in the blood.
See also beta cell ; delta cell .
Alpha Cell Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries
| Wikipedia English - The Free Encyclopedia |
Alpha cell
Alpha cells are endocrine cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. They make up 15-20% of the cells in the islets. They are responsible for synthesizing and secreting the peptide hormone glucagon, which elevates the glucose levels in the blood. In rodents alpha-cells are located in the periphery of the islets, in humans the islet arcitechture is generally less organized and alpha-cells are frequently observed inside the islets as well. In the electron microscope alpha-cells can be identified by their characteristic granules with a large dense core and a small white halo.
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