What is the main role of the pancreas in digestion?

The pancreas plays a crucial role in digestion primarily through its secretion of digestive enzymes. When food enters the small intestine, the pancreas releases a variety of enzymes that aid in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These enzymes include amylase (which digests carbohydrates), proteases (which digest proteins), and lipases (which digest fats). By breaking down these macromolecules into smaller, absorbable units, the enzymes produced by the pancreas facilitate efficient nutrient absorption in the intestines.

While the pancreas also produces digestive hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, their main function is related to the regulation of blood sugar levels rather than direct digestion. Similarly, absorption of nutrients is predominantly handled by the small intestine itself, and blood filtration is primarily the role of the kidneys. Thus, the secretion of digestive enzymes is the pancreas's central function in the digestive process.