AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Human endocrine system: pancreas
The pancreas is an endocrine gland that secretes hormones directly into the blood to control blood glucose concentration.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 6 of 10
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The pancreas is an endocrine gland that secretes hormones directly into the blood to control blood glucose concentration. When blood glucose rises, it releases insulin, causing cells (like liver and muscle cells) to take up glucose and store it as glycogen. For Higher Tier (HT) students, the pancreas also releases glucagon when blood glucose falls. Glucagon causes glycogen to be converted back to glucose and released into the blood. In exams, you may be asked to identify the pancreas on a diagram or explain its role in restoring blood glucose.
What earns the marks
- Identifies the pancreas as the endocrine gland that secretes insulin into the blood.
- Explains that insulin lowers blood glucose by causing cells to take up glucose and store it as glycogen.
- (HT only) States that glucagon is released when blood glucose falls, raising it by converting glycogen to glucose.
- (HT only) Describes the negative feedback loop involving insulin and glucagon that regulates blood glucose.
- Distinguishes the endocrine role of the pancreas from its exocrine role in producing digestive enzymes.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying the pancreas secretes insulin into the digestive system.
Put it right by stating hormones enter the blood.
(HT only) Reversing the actions of insulin and glucagon.
Put it right: Insulin lowers blood glucose and glucagon raises it.
Thinking the pancreas stops working in all diabetes.
Put it right: In Type 1 insulin secretion is reduced, while in Type 2 cells respond poorly.
Exam tips
- Name the target cells for insulin as liver and muscle cells and state the storage product as glycogen.
- (HT only) Use the phrase negative feedback when explaining how blood glucose returns to normal.
Try the lesson
The start of the Human endocrine system: pancreas lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
The pancreas is a gland in the human endocrine system. Where is it located in the body?
Listen
The pancreas is an endocrine gland that secretes hormones directly into the blood to control blood glucose concentration. When blood glucose rises, it releases insulin, causing cells (like liver and muscle cells) to take up glucose and store it as glycogen. For Higher Tier (HT) students, the pancreas also releases glucagon when blood glucose falls. Glucagon causes glycogen to be converted back to glucose and released into the blood. In exams, you may be asked to identify the pancreas on a diagram or explain its role in restoring blood glucose. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identifies the pancreas as the endocrine gland that secretes insulin into the blood. Explains that insulin lowers blood glucose by causing cells to take up glucose and store it as glycogen. HT only) States that glucagon is released when blood glucose falls, raising it by converting glycogen to glucose. HT only) Describes the negative feedback loop involving insulin and glucagon that regulates blood glucose. A common slip: Saying the pancreas secretes insulin into the digestive system. Instead, stating hormones enter the blood. Exam tip: Name the target cells for insulin as liver and muscle cells and state the storage product as glycogen.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Insulin
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Glucagon
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Endocrine gland
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Insulin
- A hormone secreted by the pancreas into the blood that causes cells to take up glucose and store it as glycogen.
- Glucagon
- A hormone released by the pancreas when blood glucose falls, raising it by converting glycogen to glucose.
- Endocrine gland
- A gland that secretes hormones directly into the blood, such as the pancreas.
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