Lesson 1
Little cells on little islands
Alpha cells live in your pancreas, an organ tucked behind your stomach. They sit in tiny clusters of cells called islets (say EYE-lets).
Each islet is a team. Alpha cells share it with beta cells, which make insulin, and a few other kinds of cells.
An alpha cell is roundish and packed with tiny bubbles. Each bubble holds a hormone called glucagon (say GLOO-ka-gon).
Wow!Islet means little island. Under a microscope, the islets look like tiny islands scattered through the pancreas!
Lesson 2
Keeping your energy up
Your cells use sugar from your blood for energy. Between meals and while you sleep, the sugar in your blood slowly goes down.
When alpha cells sense that blood sugar is low, they release glucagon into the blood. Glucagon travels to your liver and tells it to let out some of the sugar it has saved up.
Glucagon and insulin work like a seesaw. Insulin brings blood sugar down. Glucagon brings it up. Together they keep it just right, so you have energy to play and think.
Try thisScroll up to the 3D model and press Release glucagon.