Endocrine System Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a hormone?

A chemical messenger secreted by one endocrine gland or cell into the bloodstream (correct)

A structural protein

A type of neural signal

A digestive enzyme

What is the endocrine system?

Collective term for all hormone-secreting glands and hormone-secreting cells located elsewhere.

What do the endocrine and nervous systems work together to maintain?

Homeostasis

The components of a hormone pathway include stimulus, sensor, endocrine gland, hormone, target organ, target organ receptor, and ___ .

response Signup and view all the answers

What triggers an endocrine gland?

Sensor Signup and view all the answers

What is the hormone binding site on the target cell?

Outer surface of target cell Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of stimulation for endocrine glands?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a humoral stimulus?

Hormone release caused by altered levels of certain critical ions or nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during a neural stimulus?

Hormone release caused by neural input. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hormonal stimulus?

Hormone release caused by another hormone. Signup and view all the answers

Name the major endocrine glands.

Pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, gonads. Signup and view all the answers

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

The body's primitive functions. Signup and view all the answers

What hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary?

Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, growth hormone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the thyroid-stimulating hormone?

Stimulates the thyroid to produce and secrete its hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What does adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulate?

The adrenal cortex to secrete its hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What are the effects of growth hormone?

Stimulates cellular growth, mitosis, and differentiation. Signup and view all the answers

What does follicle-stimulating hormone stimulate?

Follicle and egg development in ovaries, and sperm production in testes. Signup and view all the answers

What hormone promotes uterine contractions and milk release?

Oxytocin Signup and view all the answers

What does negative feedback do in the endocrine system?

Influences hormone release by target organs. Signup and view all the answers

What is hyperthyroidism?

Elevated levels of thyroid hormones leading to symptoms such as weight loss and increased body temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What is diabetes insipidus?

Lack of antidiuretic hormone production leading to dilute urine and concentrated plasma. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of Diabetes Mellitus?

Type I and Type II diabetes. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during insulin shock?

The brain is deprived of glucose, causing disorientation, convulsions, or unconsciousness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands into the bloodstream, targeting specific organs.
The endocrine system includes all hormone-secreting glands and cells, coordinating body functions through hormonal signals.

Endocrine and Nervous Systems

Both systems work synergistically to maintain homeostasis by responding to internal and external stimuli.

Hormone Pathway Components

A hormonal response pathway includes a stimulus, sensor, endocrine gland, hormone, target organ, and target organ receptor.

Endocrine Glands

Endocrine glands release hormones when triggered by sensors, influencing various physiological processes.

Stimulation Types for Endocrine Glands

Humoral stimuli result from changes in blood nutrient or ion levels.
Neural stimuli involve nerve signals prompting hormone release.
Hormonal stimuli occur when one hormone triggers the release of another hormone.

Major Endocrine Glands

Key glands include the pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, and gonads.

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

The hypothalamus regulates body functions and connects to the pituitary gland, which has anterior and posterior parts, each secreting specific hormones.

Anterior Pituitary Hormones

Produces six hormones:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Prolactin (PRL)
- Growth hormone (GH)

Posterior Pituitary Hormones

Releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) to conserve water and oxytocin for labor contractions and milk release, both synthesized in the hypothalamus.

Feedback Mechanisms

Negative feedback regulates hormone release based on target organ influences.
Positive feedback, exemplified by oxytocin, enhances physiological responses during childbirth.

Growth Hormone Dynamics

Deficiency leads to short stature or obesity in children and may affect aging in adults.
Excess produces gigantism in children and acromegaly in adults, treatable with somatostatin analogues.

Diabetes Insipidus

Results from insufficient ADH, causing significant urine production and concentrated plasma.

Pineal Gland Functions

Produces serotonin by day and melatonin by night, influencing sleep-wake cycles.

Thymus Gland Role

Located in the mediastinum, it secretes thymosins, crucial for T-lymphocyte development and immunity.

Thyroid Gland Functions

Sits below the larynx; produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate metabolism and increase cellular oxygen consumption.
C cells secrete calcitonin to lower blood calcium levels.

Thyroid Conditions

Hyperthyroidism, commonly due to Grave's disease, presents with increased T3 and T4, leading to symptoms such as weight loss.
Hypothyroidism can result from autoimmune damage or iodine deficiency, characterized by low T3 and T4 and symptoms like low BMR and weight gain.

Parathyroids and Calcium Regulation

Parathyroid glands, usually four, enhance calcium absorption and osteoclast activity, releasing parathyroid hormone in response to low blood calcium.

Adrenal Glands Composition

Located atop the kidneys, divided into the adrenal medulla (releases catecholamines) and cortex (produces steroid hormones).

Adrenal Hormones

Catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) trigger responses akin to the sympathetic nervous system, persisting longer due to bloodstream distribution.
Corticosteroids include sex steroids, mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone), and glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol), influencing various bodily functions.

Pancreatic Function

The pancreas contains islets of Langerhans, secreting insulin (lowers blood glucose) and glucagon (raises blood glucose).

Diabetes Mellitus Types

Type I is insulin-dependent, resulting from autoimmune destruction of beta cells.
Type II is non-insulin-dependent, characterized by insulin resistance, influenced by genetics, age, and obesity.

Hyperinsulinism and Insulin Shock

Overdose of insulin can lead to rapid glucose uptake, causing hypoglycemia and potentially resulting in insulin shock, marked by disorientation and unconsciousness.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of the endocrine system with these flashcards from Chapter 16. Each card introduces important terms and definitions that are crucial for understanding hormonal functions and interactions. Perfect for students looking for a quick review or study aid.

Endocrine System Flashcards - Chapter 16