The gland that secretes the hormone glucagon is ... gland

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which gland produces glucagon, a hormone involved in controlling blood sugar.

Step 2: Explain the concept The pancreas is both an exocrine and an endocrine gland. Its endocrine part is made up of clusters of cells called the Islets of Langerhans, which contain two main cell types:

• Alpha (α) cells secrete glucagon
• Beta (β) cells secrete insulin

These two hormones work in opposite directions to keep blood glucose steady:

• Insulin lowers blood sugar. It helps cells take up glucose and converts excess glucose to glycogen in the liver.
• Glucagon raises blood sugar. It converts stored glycogen in the liver back into glucose and releases it into the blood.

Step 3: Eliminate the options

• A. Adrenal secretes adrenaline and cortisol, not glucagon.
• B. Endocrine is a type of gland, not a specific gland. The pancreas is an endocrine gland, but the question asks for the specific one, so this is a distractor.
• C. Pancreas secretes glucagon from its alpha cells. ✔
• D. Pituitary secretes growth hormone, ADH, FSH, LH and others.
• E. Thyroid secretes thyroxine.

Step 4: Answer The gland that secretes glucagon is the pancreas, which is option C.

Exam tip: Remember "Glucagon = Gets glucose out" (it raises blood sugar), while insulin lowers it. Both come from the pancreas. Also be careful with options like "endocrine": always pick the specific organ when one is available.