Ever heard your tummy rumble? A hormone called ghrelin helps make you feel hungry. Epsilon cells are rare pancreas cells that make it too!
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Epsilon cells live in the islets (say EYE-lets) of your pancreas. In grown-ups, they are the rarest islet cells of all.
They are more common in babies, even before they are born. As we grow, there are fewer of them.
Epsilon cells hold tiny bubbles of a hormone called ghrelin (say GREL-in).
Most of your ghrelin is actually made by cells in your stomach. Epsilon cells are a small extra team in the pancreas.
Ghrelin is often called the hunger hormone. It goes up before meals and helps tell your brain that it's time to eat.
In the islets, scientists think ghrelin may help adjust how much insulin is released. They are still learning exactly what epsilon cells do.
Next time your tummy rumbles before lunch, think of ghrelin!
Scroll up to the 3D model and press Release ghrelin.