What is the role of the pancreas in the body?

The pancreas plays a crucial role in the body by regulating blood sugar levels through the secretion of hormones, primarily insulin and glucagon. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells, while glucagon has the opposite effect, raising blood sugar levels when they drop too low. This balance is essential for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring that the body has a sufficient energy supply. The pancreas also serves a digestive function by producing enzymes that assist in breaking down food in the small intestine. However, its primary role concerning blood sugar regulation is what makes the correct answer stand out. Other choices reflect functions that are not related to the pancreas: muscles and bones are connected by tendons; red blood cell production is primarily the role of bones (bone marrow); and waste filtration is mainly carried out by the kidneys.