The pancreas has two major populations of secreting cells those in the islets and the acinar cells.

Question

which population serves the digestive process. How do these cells contribute to digestion ?

Answer 1

Acinar cells belong to the exocrine pancreas and secrete digestive enzymes into the gut via a system of ducts.

The exocrine pancreas produces digestive enzymes and an alkaline fluid, and secretes them into the small intestine through a system of exocrine ducts. Digestive enzymes include trypsin, chymotrypsin, pancreatic lipase, and pancreatic amylase, and are produced and secreted by acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas. Specific cells that line the pancreatic ducts, called centroacinar cells, secrete a bicarbonate- and salt-rich solution into the small intestine.