45 Questions
Which system is responsible for chemical signaling in animals?
The endocrine system
What is the function of hormones in the body?
To stimulate specific cells
What hormone is responsible for the differences in appearance and behavior between male and female elephant seals?
Testosterone
Which gland is responsible for secreting melatonin?
Pineal gland
What is the function of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)?
Functioning as a biological clock
What is the specialized role of Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) in amphibians, fish, and reptiles?
Controlling skin color by controlling pigment distribution in melanocytes
Which hormone is released by the parathyroid glands when blood calcium levels fall below a set point?
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Which gland secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine?
Adrenal medulla
Which type of corticosteroid affects salt and water balance?
Mineralocorticoids
Which hormone primarily promotes the development of male reproductive structures?
Testosterone
Which type of hormone typically triggers a change in gene expression?
Steroid hormone
What is the main function of epinephrine in the body?
To break down glycogen into glucose
Which of the following is NOT an example of an endocrine gland?
Salivary gland
What type of feedback loop reduces the initial stimulus?
Negative feedback
Which gland in the human brain stores and secretes hormones that are made in the hypothalamus?
Pituitary gland
What hormone regulates kidney physiology and behavior?
Antidiuretic hormone
What hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and has tropic and nontropic effects?
Growth hormone (GH)
What hormone does the hypothalamus secrete to stimulate the anterior pituitary to secrete prolactin (PRL)?
Prolactin-releasing hormone
Which type of signaling plays a role in blood pressure regulation and nervous system function?
Paracrine signaling
What type of signaling occurs when the target cell is also the secreting cell?
Autocrine signaling
Which type of signaling involves the release of chemicals into the environment to communicate with other members of the species?
Pheromone signaling
What is the major difference in solubility between polypeptides and steroid hormones?
Polypeptides are water-soluble, while steroid hormones are lipid-soluble.
Which of the following is NOT a category of essential nutrients?
Amino acids
What is the main consequence of undernourishment?
Protein deficiency of the brain
Which feeding mechanism involves sucking nutrient-rich fluid from a living host?
Fluid feeding
What is the process of breaking down food into small molecules that can be absorbed?
Digestion
Which type of diabetes is characterized by the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas by the immune system?
Type 1 diabetes
What is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes?
Insulin injections
Which hormone secreted by the stomach wall triggers feelings of hunger before meals?
Ghrelin
What is the main effect of obesity on the body?
Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
Which type of digestion occurs when food particles are engulfed by phagocytosis and liquids are engulfed by pinocytosis?
Intracellular digestion
Which organ produces the proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin?
The pancreas
What is the name for the breakdown of food particles outside of cells?
Extracellular digestion
What is the major component of bile?
Bile salts
What is the name for the digestive tube with two openings, a mouth and an anus?
Complete digestive tract digestion
Where are chylomicrons transported into?
A lacteal
Which glands secrete digestive juices through ducts into the alimentary canal in mammals?
Salivary glands
Which part of the large intestine aids in the fermentation of plant material?
The cecum
Which of the following is NOT an essential nutrient for animals?
Amino acids
Which of the following is the main source of essential amino acids for animals?
Meat
What are the three needs that an adequate diet must satisfy for animals?
Chemical energy, organic building blocks, essential nutrients
Which method do scientists use to study the microbiome?
DNA sequencing based on the polymerase chain reaction
How many bacterial species have been found in the human digestive system using DNA sequencing?
More than 400
What is the cause of stomach ulcers?
H. pylori disrupts stomach health by eliminating other bacterial species.
What is the purpose of fecal microbial transplantation?
To treat intestinal infections caused by Clostridium difficile.
Study Notes
Chemical Signals in Animals
- Hormones are secreted molecules that circulate through the body and stimulate specific cells.
- Hormones can reach all parts of the body, but only target cells have receptors for that hormone.
- Chemical signaling by hormones is the function of the endocrine system, while the nervous system is a network of specialized cells called neurons.
- Intercellular communication through secreted signals can be classified by the type of secreting cell and the route taken by the signal to reach its target.
- Endocrine signaling is the secretion of hormones into extracellular fluids by endocrine cells, which reach their targets via the bloodstream.
- Paracrine and autocrine signaling are local signaling mechanisms that play roles in processes such as blood pressure regulation, nervous system function, and reproduction.
- Pheromones are chemicals released into the environment that serve various functions, including marking trails, defining territories, warning of predators, and attracting mates.
- Hormones can be classified into three major chemical classes: polypeptides, steroids, and amines, with different solubility and structure.
- Water-soluble hormones bind to cell-surface receptors and initiate a cellular response through signal transduction.
- Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse across cell membranes, bind to receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus of target cells, and often result in changes in gene expression.
- The same hormone may have different effects on target cells that have different receptors and signal transduction pathways.
- Endocrine cells are often grouped in ductless organs called endocrine glands, while exocrine glands have ducts to carry secreted substances onto body surfaces or into body cavities.
- Hormones are assembled into regulatory pathways, including simple endocrine pathways and simple neuroendocrine pathways, which involve the secretion of specific hormones in response to a stimulus.
Test your knowledge on the coordination of the endocrine and nervous systems in animals. Explore how the brain integrates the functions of these systems and discover the pathways that control important processes like molting.
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