Alpha cells

Alpha cells | Diabetes Qualified

Alpha cells are found in the pancreas. They produce a hormone called glucagon, which raises blood glucose levels.

Definitioner

Pancreas: The pancreas is a glandular organ that lies just behind the stomach, next to the liver. It produces digestive enzymes used to break down proteins in food. It contains alpha cells, which produce glucagon, and beta cells, which produce insulin.
Hormone: Released by special cells, hormones are chemicals that tell other cells what to do. For instance, insulin is a hormone made by the beta cells in the pancreas. When released, insulin tells other cells to use glucose (sugar) for energy.
Glucose: A carbohydrate and is the body's most important source of energy. It is produced from digested food, by the normal action of the liver, and is carried by the blood throughout the body.
Glucagon: A hormone produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas. It causes blood glucose levels to rise.
Blood glucose levels: The measure of how much glucose (blood sugar) is in the blood. The normal level (euglycemia) is about 4 - 7 mmol/l before meals and less than 8 mmol/l after meals.
Blood glucose: The main sugar that the body makes from the three elements of food-proteins, fats, and carbohydrates-but mostly from carbohydrates. Glucose is the major source of energy for living cells and is carried to each cell through the bloodstream. However, the cells cannot use glucose without the help of insulin.
Alpha cells: Alpha cells are found in the pancreas. They produce a hormone called glucagon, which raises blood glucose levels.