Which hormone stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion?

The correct answer is that cholecystokinin (CCK) is the hormone that stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion.

CCK is produced in the small intestine, particularly in response to the presence of fats and proteins in the chyme that enters the duodenum after a meal. When released, CCK travels through the bloodstream to the pancreas, where it binds to receptors on pancreatic acinar cells. This binding triggers the secretion of digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and proteases, which are crucial for the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, respectively. By enhancing enzyme secretion, CCK plays a pivotal role in facilitating the digestive process, ensuring that nutrients can be effectively broken down and absorbed in the intestines.

Understanding the role of CCK highlights the intricate coordination between different digestive hormones and their functions—specifically, CCK's direct role in enzyme stimulation is a crucial aspect of the digestive physiology. Other hormones mentioned, like gastrin and secretin, have distinct but different roles, such as stimulating gastric acid secretion and bicarbonate secretion, respectively, which do not specifically target the secretion of pancreatic enzymes. Glucagon, on the other hand, primarily functions in regulating blood glucose levels and is not involved