Brown and Beige Adipose Tissue Quiz

Phagocytes important in immune function

Hepatocytes

Triacylglycerides (TAGs)

Thermogenesis

Primary function; white stores fat as TAGs, brown primarily generates heat

Fat 'likes' to stay where it is

Endocrine signaling involves transmission of signals through the blood by tissues like the pancreas. Paracrine signaling takes place between cells in close proximity. Autocrine signaling occurs within the same cell.

The impact of a hormone on a cell or tissue can be modulated by factors such as tissue type, cell type, and life stage. For example, serotonin has a variety of effects beyond just promoting a 'happy' mood.

Hormones play a crucial role in regulating processes involved in maintaining homeostasis at the systemic level. They modulate development, reproduction, digestion, and many other processes.

Neurons transmit signals along their axons, while other tissues like the pancreas transmit signals through the blood. This allows for more localized control of signaling in the case of neurons and broader, systemic control in the case of hormones.

Preprohormones are precursors to prohormones, which in turn are precursors to hormones. Hormones are small molecules or proteins produced in one tissue that influence the activities of another.

Hormones play a critical part in the regulation of fuel metabolism, including processes like glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation. They are also involved in the regulation of body mass, with imbalances contributing to conditions like obesity.

Epinephrine promotes liver glycogen degradation and glucose release, supporting fast twitch muscles that rely on glycolysis. The creatine kinase reaction provides an additional pool of ATP, while phosphocreatine buffers ATP concentration during exercise.

Neurons can use either glucose or ketone bodies as energy sources, but the majority of energy comes from oxidative phosphorylation. O2 is critical for ATP production, as even short-term loss can lead to irreversible damage.

Blood carries a large portion of the signaling molecules, energy, and waste through the body. Although signaling molecules only make up a small portion of its total composition, blood is primarily composed of water and erythrocytes (RBCs).

Blood sugar levels are generally maintained between 70-100mg/dL. Both high and low blood glucose levels can be problematic, as glucose can be toxic at high concentrations and deprivation can lead to energy deficiency.

Norepinephrine promotes uncoupling protein 1 activation, leading to thermogenesis and heat production within brown adipose tissue.

Na+/K+ pumps are ATP-driven and maintain ion gradients necessary for neuronal signaling. These pumps generate the ion gradients needed for electrical signal transmission between neurons.