Anatomy
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are Alpha Cells?

A.M. Boyle
A.M. Boyle

Alpha cells are endocrine cells that are present within the pancreas in a region called the islets of Langerhans. These particular cells produce a specific hormone called glucagon. The hormone glucagon is vital to regulation of blood glucose levels, that is, the amount of glucose, or sugar, within the bloodstream.

The pancreas, which rests right behind and slightly below the stomach, plays a crucial part in the digestive process. The islets of Langerhan, named for the person who discovered it in 1869, is a region within the pancreas made up primarily of hormone-producing endocrine cells. Alpha cells reside in this region and are necessary to the production the hormone glucagon. Glucagon plays an important role in raising blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels.

Glucose is stored in the liver in a polysaccharide called glycogen.
Glucose is stored in the liver in a polysaccharide called glycogen.

The glucagon produced by the alpha cells acts to raise blood sugar levels in the body by breaking down glycogen, a substance produced in the liver, into a type of sugar called glucose. The process of converting glycogen into glucose is called glycogenolysis. The glucose that is produced during glycogenolysis enters the bloodstream and is then carried by the blood to different cells in the body. The cells use the glucose as fuel, and it is the primary source of energy for the body.

The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.
The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.

The human body constantly regulates the amount of blood sugar in the bloodstream. When blood sugar levels go too low, the alpha cells are called into action, and the necessary amounts of glucagon are released, triggering the process of glycogenolysis, which results in glucose production. Without the alpha cells, the human body would not be able to produce glucose and would therefore not be able to maintain adequate blood glucose levels.

If blood sugar levels go too low and the condition is not corrected, serious health problems can result.
If blood sugar levels go too low and the condition is not corrected, serious health problems can result.

When blood sugar levels go too low and the condition is not corrected, serious health problems can result. The condition, called hypoglycemia, causes a variety of troublesome symptoms. A person with low blood sugar might feel dizzy, shaky, and weak. He or she might also experience a rapid heartbeat, break out in a clammy sweat, or have blurred vision. If left untreated, the condition could degenerate and become more serious, causing mental confusion, seizures, unconsciousness, and coma.

A pancreas that is not performing correctly may cause bloating and watery stools.
A pancreas that is not performing correctly may cause bloating and watery stools.

People who suffer from a condition called diabetes often have difficulty with excessive amounts of glucose in their bloodstreams. This condition is sometimes caused by the inability of the body to produce sufficient amounts of insulin, which is the substance that allows cells to absorb the glucose from the blood. A person’s cells may also be resistive to insulin, thus inhibiting the absorption of glucose from the blood. In order to correct this condition, medications are sometimes prescribed that inhibit the production of glucagon by the alpha cells.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Glucose is stored in the liver in a polysaccharide called glycogen.
      By: Sebastian Kaulitzki
      Glucose is stored in the liver in a polysaccharide called glycogen.
    • The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.
      By: pixdesign123
      The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.
    • If blood sugar levels go too low and the condition is not corrected, serious health problems can result.
      By: Rob Byron
      If blood sugar levels go too low and the condition is not corrected, serious health problems can result.
    • A pancreas that is not performing correctly may cause bloating and watery stools.
      By: inesbazdar
      A pancreas that is not performing correctly may cause bloating and watery stools.
    • Problems with the pancreas may be detected via ultrasound.
      By: acherst
      Problems with the pancreas may be detected via ultrasound.