Endo - vs. exo-

the pancreas' functions are both as an endocrine gland and exocrine gland.

endocrine -- secretion of insulin into blood stream

exocrine -- secretion of pancreatic enzymes into gi tract.

explain the difference

Endocrine gland in the pancreas plays a major role in the digestion of food. Beta cells of the pancreas produce a hormone known as insulin. Insulin secretes into the blood when the sugar level increases (mainly after the meal). It lowers the glucose levels in the blood. It also plays a role in the storage of extra energy in the form of glycogen in the muscles and adipose tissues.

On the other hand, pancreatic enzymes are produced by exocrine gland that secrete into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Pancreatic enzymes help complete the digestion process by breaking biomolecules into simpler compounds to yield energy. There are different pancreatic enzymes, for example, pancreatic amylase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pancreatic lipase, and ribonuclease. These enzymes are specific because of their functions. Pancreatic amylase breaks larger polysaccharides (carbohydrate) molecules into simpler ones.  Trypsin and chymotrypsin break protein molecules into its amino acid subunit.