Question

Pancreas has two types of cells namely islets of Langerhans and acinar cells. In the early years of research on diabetes, extract of this gland was tested on diabetic patients. Results are tabulated below :

		Reduction in blood sugar level
A.	Extract of pancreas	$-$
B.	Islet cell extract	$+$
C.	Acinar cell extract	$-$

The correct interpretation is that

• A. anti-diabetic factor present in extract ${}^{\prime }{C}^{\prime }$ was inactivated by extract ${}^{\prime }{A}^{\prime }$
• B. anti-diabetic factor present in ${}^{\prime }{A}^{\prime }$ was destroyed by ${}^{\prime }{B}^{\prime }$
• C. both ${}^{\prime }{A}^{\prime }$ and ${}^{\prime }{C}^{\prime }$ destroyed the anti-diabetic factor present in ${}^{\prime }{B}^{\prime }$
• D. anti-diabetic factor present in ${}^{\prime }{B}^{\prime }$ was destroyed by ${}^{\prime }{C}^{\prime }$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

The result shows that the extract of pancreas is ineffective to reduce blood sugar level. The extract contains secretions of both exocrine and endocrine parts i.e., acinar cells and islet of Langerhans respectively. Since extract of endocrine part which is islet of Langerhans is individually capable of reducing sugar level, this shows that some factors from acinar cells are preventing anti-diabetic factor to function.