Alpha cell
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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.
Alternative and more common spelling: alpha-cell or α-cell.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Islets of Langerhans: alpha cell (glucagon) • beta cell (insulin) • delta cell (somatostatin) • PP cell (pancreatic polypeptide) • epsilon cell (ghrelin)
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