What is the primary function of the pancreas in digestion?

The primary function of the pancreas in digestion is to produce digestive enzymes and hormones. The pancreas plays a crucial role in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats within the small intestine by secreting these enzymes. For instance, it releases amylase for carbohydrate digestion, proteases for protein digestion, and lipase for fat digestion.

Additionally, the pancreas produces hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which are vital for regulating blood sugar levels and overall metabolism. This dual role—acting both as an exocrine gland to aid digestion and as an endocrine gland to regulate blood sugar—highlights the pancreas's integral function in both the digestive process and metabolic control.

Other choices do not align with the pancreas's primary contributions; producing bile is primarily a function of the liver, transporting nutrients falls under the roles of the intestines and bloodstream, and absorbing vitamins occurs in the intestines, not the pancreas.