Pancreatic beta cells

Pancreatic beta cells are the second type of cell available in the pancreas and secrete insulin the other type of cell being the alpha cells which secrete glucagon. Both types of cells are located at the Islet of Langerhans. Insulin lowers the concentration of glucose in the blood by causing cells to become permeable to glucose and uptake more while Glucagon causes the break down of stored glycogen in the pancreas to glucose increasing glucose concentration in the blood. Together they regulate the glucose levels in the body. Damage to the beta cells could lead to less production of insulin causing type 1 diabetes.