Which organ functions in both the endocrine and digestive systems and helps control blood glucose levels?

• A. Liver
• B. Pancreas
• C. Spleen
• D. Heart

Answer: (B)

Pancreas is the organ that functions in both the endocrine and digestive systems and helps control blood glucose levels. It carries out digestion through its exocrine tissue, which releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine, and regulates glucose through its endocrine tissue, the islets of Langerhans, which secrete insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. Insulin lowers blood glucose after a meal by helping cells take up glucose, while glucagon raises blood glucose during fasting by signaling liver release of glucose. The liver stores glycogen and supports glucose metabolism, but it doesn’t provide the direct hormonal control of blood glucose that the pancreas does. The spleen and heart don’t regulate glucose or digestion in this way.