Biology Exam #4: Endocrine System Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are the differences between autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, and synaptic signals?

Endocrine- long distance chemical signaling (correct)

Synaptic- signal passed by neurotransmitters (correct)

Autocrine- signal to self (correct)

Paracrine- signal to nearby cells (correct)

Signaling by histamine is an example of?

paracrine signaling

What are the broad differences between the endocrine system and the immune system?

Endocrine: chemical signals (hormones), slower, longer lasting; Immune system: electrical signals & neurotransmitters, rapid, short-lived.

What is an animal hormone?

A chemical produced in small amounts that can alter the response of a target cell. Signup and view all the answers

The process of maintaining homeostasis involves a sensor in the body recognizing change and sending a message to the __________, which then releases hormones to the target cells.

endocrine gland Signup and view all the answers

The majority of hormones are regulated by?

negative feedback Signup and view all the answers

What do effector cells need to recognize a hormone?

A special protein Signup and view all the answers

Hormones are produced and released by?

Endocrine cells Signup and view all the answers

What system broadcast hormones through the body?

The circulatory system Signup and view all the answers

Which cells are the only ones able to receive the hormonal signal and respond?

The target cells Signup and view all the answers

Match the types of animal hormones with their examples:

Water soluble = Proteins/peptides/amines Lipid soluble = Steroid hormones Signup and view all the answers

What are the differences between water soluble and lipid soluble hormones?

Water soluble cannot pass through plasma membranes, while lipid soluble can. Water soluble has receptors on outside of cells, and lipid has receptors on inside. Signup and view all the answers

What are two responses that water soluble hormones have?

<ol> <li>Changing the activity of protein that already exists; 2) Changing the way proteins are made.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the sole response of lipid soluble hormones?

Make new proteins Signup and view all the answers

How can a single hormone produce different effects?

They have different receptors which allow them to tell the cell to do something different. Signup and view all the answers

How can two different hormones produce the same effect?

As long as the same set of proteins is made, this influences the same genes. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key organs in the endocrine system?

Hypothalamus, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, pituitary gland, and pancreas Signup and view all the answers

How does the pituitary gland release hormones into the body?

It receives information from the hypothalamus and then releases hormones into the bloodstream. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the posterior pituitary gland and the anterior pituitary gland?

Posterior pituitary gland consists of neurons releasing hormones, whereas the anterior pituitary gland is made up of cells releasing protein hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What hormones does the posterior pituitary gland release?

Oxytocin and ADH Signup and view all the answers

What effect does ADH being inhibited by alcohol have?

Makes you pee more Signup and view all the answers

What hormones does the anterior pituitary gland produce and release?

ACTH, Growth hormone (GH), and thyroid stimulating hormone Signup and view all the answers

What responses do growth hormones cause?

Help control blood sugar levels, stimulate bone growth, promote breakdown of fats, increase muscle mass. Signup and view all the answers

What can too much or too little growth hormone cause?

Gigantism or dwarfism Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the thyroid and parathyroid glands?

Regulating energy levels by managing blood sugar. Signup and view all the answers

What does the thyroid produce and what is their main role?

Produces thyroid hormones (T3 & T4). Their main role is to promote breakdown of glucose for energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is calcitonin?

A hormone that regulates blood calcium levels. Signup and view all the answers

What does the parathyroid produce and what is their main role?

Parathyroid hormones. They control blood calcium levels. Signup and view all the answers

The production of thyroid hormones is influenced by?

The hypothalamus and anterior pituitary Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of TRH?

To tell anterior pituitary to release TSH, which then makes TH, resulting in an increase in glucose levels in the blood. Signup and view all the answers

What would you expect to happen if a person had very little iodine?

Thyroid hormone would not be able to inhibit production of TRH or TSH. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of a lack of iodine?

Not enough thyroid hormones; TRH and TSH production are not inhibited. Signup and view all the answers

What do calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulate?

Blood calcium levels Signup and view all the answers

What causes a decrease in blood calcium levels?

Calcitonin Signup and view all the answers

What causes an increase in blood calcium levels?

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) Signup and view all the answers

What does the pancreas in the endocrine system produce?

Antagonistic hormones: insulin and glucagon Signup and view all the answers

What happens to blood glucose after you eat a meal?

Your blood glucose goes up, along with insulin levels. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why both types of Diabetes Mellitus have high blood glucose.

Type 1: Cannot make insulin; Type 2: Pancreas makes insulin, but body cells don't respond. Signup and view all the answers

What is the adrenal gland involved in?

Regulating stress. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla?

Cortex: long-term stress response; Medulla: short-term stress response. Signup and view all the answers

What controls parts of the adrenal glands?

Hypothalamus Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the fight or flight response in the body?

Medulla Signup and view all the answers

What changes occur in your body during the fight or flight response?

Increase in blood flow, eyes dilate, more sugar. Signup and view all the answers

What types of hormones does the adrenal cortex produce in response to stress?

<ol> <li>Glucocorticoids; 2) Mineralocorticoids.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Why are you more likely to get sick when you're stressed out?

Because glucocorticoids depress the immune system. Signup and view all the answers

What hormones do the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla release?

Cortex: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids; Medulla: adrenaline and noradrenaline. Signup and view all the answers

What controls the release and production of the 3 hormones released by the adrenal cortex?

Pituitary gland with help of ACTH. Signup and view all the answers

What major role does the adrenal medulla play in?

Major role in the automatic nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Signaling Mechanisms

Autocrine signals act on the same cell that secretes them.
Paracrine signals target nearby cells rather than distant ones.
Endocrine signals involve hormones that travel long distances through the bloodstream.
Synaptic signals are transmitted via neurotransmitters across nerve synapses.

Histamine Signaling

Histamine operates using paracrine signaling, affecting nearby cells.

Endocrine vs Immune System

The endocrine system relies on long-lasting chemical signals (hormones) and acts slowly.
The immune system uses rapid electrical signals and neurotransmitters for quick responses.

Animal Hormones

Hormones are chemicals produced in small quantities that modify the activity of target cells.
Essential for maintaining homeostasis within the body.

Homeostasis Process

Body sensors detect changes and relay messages to endocrine glands acting as control centers.
Hormones are sent to target cells that instigate changes to restore balance through negative feedback.

Hormone Regulation

The majority of hormone levels are maintained through negative feedback mechanisms.
Effector cells require specific receptors to recognize hormones.

Hormone Production and Release

Hormones are produced and secreted by endocrine cells.
The circulatory system is responsible for distributing hormones throughout the body.

Target Cells

Only target cells have the necessary receptors to respond to specific hormones.

Types of Hormones

Water-soluble hormones include proteins, peptides, and amines.
Lipid-soluble hormones consist of steroids and can easily pass through cell membranes.

Hormonal Responses

Water-soluble hormones prompt:
- Changes in existing protein activity.
- Modifications in protein synthesis.
Lipid-soluble hormones typically lead to the creation of new proteins.

Hormone Receptor Diversity

A single hormone can lead to varying effects due to different receptors on different cells.
Two hormones may elicit the same response by influencing the same set of proteins.

Key Endocrine Organs

Important organs include the hypothalamus, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, pituitary gland, and pancreas.

Pituitary Gland Function

Works as a relay from the hypothalamus, releasing hormones that influence body functions.

Posterior vs Anterior Pituitary

Posterior pituitary releases hormones directly from neurons originating in the hypothalamus.
Anterior pituitary consists mainly of hormone-releasing cells.

Posterior Pituitary Hormones

Oxytocin: Stimulates milk release and uterine contractions.
ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone): Reduces urination and promotes water retention, inhibited by alcohol.

Anterior Pituitary Hormones

Produces several hormones including ACTH, growth hormone (GH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Growth Hormone Functions

Regulates blood sugar, promotes bone growth, breaks down fats, and increases muscle mass.
Abnormal levels can lead to gigantism or dwarfism.

Thyroid Gland Functions

Regulates energy levels through blood sugar control and produces thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which promote glucose breakdown.

Calcitonin and Parathyroid Hormone

Calcitonin regulates and decreases blood calcium levels.
Parathyroid hormones increase blood calcium levels.

Thyroid Hormone Regulation

Influenced by the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.
TRH stimulates TSH release, which subsequently increases thyroid hormones in the bloodstream.

Iodine Deficiency Consequences

Insufficient iodine results in inadequate thyroid hormone production, leading to unchecked TRH and TSH production.

Blood Calcium Regulation

Calcitonin decreases blood calcium.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases blood calcium.

Pancreatic Hormones

Produces antagonistic hormones:
- Insulin lowers blood glucose.
- Glucagon raises blood glucose levels.

Blood Glucose Levels

Post-meal increases blood glucose and insulin levels.
Morning fasting typically results in low blood glucose.

Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1: High blood glucose due to an inability to produce insulin.
Type 2: High blood glucose due to cellular resistance to insulin.

Adrenal Gland Functions

Involved in stress regulation.

Adrenal Cortex vs Medulla

Cortex handles long-term stress responses, while medulla is responsible for short-term stress responses via rapid signals.

Hypothalamus and Stress Response

The hypothalamus influences adrenal gland functions through hormonal signals.

Fight or Flight Response

Triggered by the adrenal medulla, leading to increased blood flow, pupil dilation, and heightened glucose levels.

Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex

Produces glucocorticoids (increases blood glucose, suppresses immune function) and mineralocorticoids (raises blood pressure).

Stress and Immunity

Stress can weaken the immune system due to the effects of glucocorticoids.

Hormones from Adrenal Glands

Adrenal cortex releases glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.
Adrenal medulla releases adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine).

Adrenal Cortex Hormonal Control

Regulated by the pituitary gland and ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).

Autonomic Nervous System Role

The adrenal medulla plays a significant role in the autonomic nervous system.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the endocrine system with these flashcards. Learn about different types of signaling, including autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, and synaptic signals. This quiz will help reinforce key differences and concepts within the subject.