Question

{"given":"The pancreas is a heterocrine (mixed) gland with both exocrine and endocrine functions.","key_observation":"The exocrine and endocrine secretions of the pancreas originate from structurally and functionally distinct cell populations — acinar cells for pancreatic juice and Islets of Langerhans for hormones.","option_analysis":[{"label":"(A)","text":"Same cells","verdict":"incorrect","explanation":"Pancreatic juice (digestive enzymes) is secreted by acinar cells, while hormones like insulin and glucagon are secreted by the Islets of Langerhans — these are entirely different cell types."},{"label":"(B)","text":"Same cells but at different times","verdict":"incorrect","explanation":"The two secretions are not temporally separated functions of the same cells; they are produced by permanently distinct cell populations in different structural regions of the pancreas."},{"label":"(C)","text":"The statement is incorrect","verdict":"incorrect","explanation":"The statement is entirely valid — the pancreas does produce both pancreatic juice and hormones, making this option wrong."},{"label":"(D)","text":"Different cells","verdict":"correct","explanation":"The exocrine acinar cells (~98–99% of the gland) secrete pancreatic juice, while the endocrine Islets of Langerhans (~1–2% of the gland) secrete hormones such as insulin and glucagon — confirming that different cells are responsible."}],"answer":"(D)","formula_steps":[]}