Endocrine System (Short Answer)
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Questions and Answers

What role does melatonin play in the body?

Melatonin contributes to the setting of the body's biological clock and promotes sleepiness, particularly by increasing levels during darkness.

How does the thymus affect the immune system?

The thymus produces hormones that promote the maturation of T cells, which are crucial for destroying microbes and foreign substances.

Where is the pineal gland located, and what is its primary function?

The pineal gland is located attached to the roof of the third ventricle of the brain and primarily secretes melatonin to help regulate sleep-wake cycles.

What changes occur in female bodies during puberty due to hormonal influence?

<p>Hormones promote the enlargement of breasts and widening of hips, which are secondary sex characteristics in females.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical features protect the pineal gland?

<p>The pineal gland is covered by a capsule formed by the pia mater.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect do thymus hormones have beyond T cell maturation?

<p>Thymus hormones may also retard or slow down the aging process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the pituitary gland in the endocrine system?

<p>The pituitary gland, known as the master endocrine gland, secretes several hormones that control other endocrine glands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the nervous and endocrine systems interact?

<p>The nervous and endocrine systems function together as an interlocking 'supersystem' to regulate bodily activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the two portions of the infundibular stalk.

<p>The two portions of the infundibular stalk are the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormones are synthesized by the hypothalamus?

<p>The hypothalamus synthesizes at least nine different hormones that regulate various bodily functions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the composition and function of the anterior pituitary.

<p>The anterior pituitary, composed of epithelial tissue, accounts for about 75% of the gland's weight and secretes hormones that regulate growth and reproduction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the pars intermedia during human fetal development?

<p>The pars intermedia atrophies during human fetal development and ceases to exist as a separate lobe in adults.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of somatotrophic cells in the anterior pituitary?

<p>Somatotrophic cells in the anterior pituitary secrete growth hormone (GH), which stimulates body growth and regulates metabolism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the pituitary gland located?

<p>The pituitary gland is located in the hypophysial fossa of the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the posterior pituitary?

<p>The posterior pituitary, or neurohypophysis, is involved in the release of hormones synthesized by the hypothalamus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the release of oxytocin during delivery?

<p>The stretching of the cervix of the uterus triggers the release of oxytocin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What physiological effect does oxytocin have after delivery?

<p>Oxytocin stimulates milk ejection from the mammary glands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?

<p>ADH causes the kidneys to return more water to the blood, decreasing urine volume.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to urine output in the absence of ADH?

<p>Urine output can increase from a normal 1 to 2 liters to about 20 liters a day.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structural characteristics of the thyroid gland.

<p>The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped, with two lobes connected by an isthmus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate normal mass of the thyroid gland?

<p>The normal mass of the thyroid gland is about 30 grams (1 oz).</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does alcohol play in urine production regarding ADH?

<p>Alcohol inhibits the secretion of ADH, leading to increased urine production.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What may oxytocin be responsible for in males and non-pregnant females?

<p>Oxytocin may be partly responsible for feelings of sexual pleasure during and after intercourse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical features define the lobes of the thyroid gland?

<p>The thyroid gland typically consists of right and left lobes, connected by an isthmus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are thyroid follicles?

<p>Thyroid follicles are microscopic spherical sacs that make up most of the thyroid gland.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the suprarenal medulla?

<p>The suprarenal medulla primarily intensifies sympathetic responses in the body by releasing hormones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which hormones are predominantly released by the chromaffin cells of the suprarenal medulla?

<p>Chromaffin cells primarily release norepinephrine (80%) and epinephrine (20%).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structure of the pancreas.

<p>The pancreas is a flattened organ measuring about 12.5–15 cm in length, located in the curve of the duodenum, comprising a head, body, and tail.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are pancreatic acini and what is their function?

<p>Pancreatic acini are clusters of exocrine cells that produce digestive enzymes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many types of hormone-secreting cells are present in the pancreatic islets?

<p>There are four types of hormone-secreting cells in the pancreatic islets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormone is secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets?

<p>Alpha cells secrete glucagon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do beta cells play in the pancreas?

<p>Beta cells secrete insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of somatostatin secreted by delta cells?

<p>Somatostatin regulates the secretion of other hormones and inhibits insulin and glucagon release.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the pancreatic islet cells do beta cells constitute?

<p>Beta cells constitute about 70% of the pancreatic islet cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the location of the pancreas?

<p>The pancreas is uniquely located in the curve of the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary cells that form the wall of each thyroid follicle?

<p>Thyrocytes (follicular cells) are the primary cells that form the wall of each thyroid follicle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do T thyrocytes change under the influence of TSH?

<p>Under the influence of TSH, T thyrocytes change from a low cuboidal to a low columnar shape and become active in secretion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What two hormones are produced by T thyrocytes?

<p>T thyrocytes produce Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the basement membrane surrounding each thyroid follicle?

<p>The basement membrane serves to provide structural support and separation for each follicle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do thyroid hormones affect the nervous system?

<p>Thyroid hormones promote synapse formation, myelin production, and growth of dendrites in the nervous system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do thyroid hormones play in the growth of the skeletal system?

<p>Thyroid hormones promote the formation of ossification centers and the synthesis of bone proteins.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does alcohol have on the body's hydration levels?

<p>Alcohol causes dehydration, leading to thirst and headaches typical of a hangover.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do T3 and T4 together function in the body?

<p>T3 and T4 regulate metabolic rate, heart rate, and blood pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of thyroglobulin produced by T thyrocytes?

<p>Thyroglobulin is a precursor for the synthesis of thyroid hormones T3 and T4.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary contribution of parafollicular cells (C thyrocytes) in the thyroid?

<p>Parafollicular cells primarily contribute to the regulation of calcium levels in the body.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Endocrine System

  • Responsible for regulating all types of body cells
  • Works in conjunction with the nervous system as an interlocking "supersystem"

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

  • Hypothalamus is the “master” of the pituitary gland
  • Pituitary gland is considered the “master” endocrine gland
  • Hypothalamus regulates virtually all aspects of growth, development, metabolism, and homeostasis
  • Pituitary gland is pea-shaped, measuring 1-1.5 cm in diameter
  • Infundibular stalk attaches the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus
  • Pituitary gland has two separate regions:
    • Anterior Pituitary (adenohypophysis) - composed of epithelial tissue
    • Posterior Pituitary (neurohypophysis) - composed of neural tissue

Anterior Pituitary

  • Composed of three regions:
    • Pars distalis - larger portion
    • Pars tuberalis - forms a sheath around the infundibular stalk
    • Pars intermedia - atrophies during human fetal development
  • Secretes hormones that regulate wide-ranging bodily functions, including growth and reproduction.
  • Cells within the anterior pituitary secrete various hormones:
    • Somatotropic cells: secrete growth hormone (GH)/somatotropin
    • GH stimulates overall body growth and influences metabolism

Posterior Pituitary

  • Composed of two regions:
    • Pars nervosa - the larger bulbar portion
    • Infundibular stalk
  • Secretes hormones:
    • Oxytocin (OT):
      • Primarily targets uterine smooth muscle and mammary glands in females:
        • During delivery, stretching of the cervix stimulates oxytocin, increasing uterine contractions.
        • After delivery, oxytocin stimulates milk ejection from the mammary glands in response to suckling.
      • Function in males and non-pregnant females is not fully understood.
    • Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)/Vasopressin:
      • Causes the kidneys to conserve water in the blood, reducing urine volume.
      • Absence of ADH leads to significant increase in urine output (up to 10 times the normal volume).
      • Alcohol inhibits ADH secretion, causing increased urination (hydration and hangover effects).
      • ADH also reduces water loss through sweating and constricts arterioles to increase blood pressure.

Thyroid Gland

  • Butterfly-shaped gland located inferior to the larynx
  • Composed of two lobes (right and left) connected by an isthmus anterior to the trachea.
  • May possess a small third lobe (pyramidal lobe).
  • Normal thyroid mass is about 30 g (1 oz).
  • Thyroid follicles: microscopic spherical sacs composing the thyroid gland.
    • Walls primarily consist of follicular cells; most extend into the lumen of the follicle.
    • Follicular cells produce two hormones:
      • Thyroxine/tetraiodothyronine (T4): contains four iodine atoms.
      • Triiodothyronine (T3): contains three iodine atoms.
    • T4 and T3 are collectively known as Thyroid Hormones.
  • Follicular cells also produce Thyroglobulin.
  • Parafollicular cells: secrete calcitonin, which plays a vital role in calcium homeostasis.

Thyroid Hormone Effects

  • Regulate metabolism: increase basal metabolic rate, heart rate, and blood pressure.
  • Affect development and growth of nervous tissue and bones:
    • Promote synapse formation, myelin production, and dendrite growth in the nervous system.
    • Contribute to ossification centers in developing bones, bone protein synthesis, and secretion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs).

Suprarenal Medulla

  • Inner region of the suprarenal gland, a modified sympathetic ganglion of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
  • Chromaffin cells: hormone-producing cells innervated by sympathetic preganglionic neurons of the ANS.
  • Secrete catecholamines:
    • Norepinephrine/adrenaline/noradrenaline (80%)
    • Epinephrine (20%)
  • Catecholamines intensify sympathetic responses in other parts of the body.

Pancreas

  • Both endocrine and exocrine gland
  • Flattened organ measuring about 12.5-15 cm (5-6 in.) long, located in the curve of the duodenum
  • Consists of a head, body, and tail
  • Pancreatic acini: clusters of exocrine cells, comprising roughly 99% of pancreatic cells.
    • Produce digestive enzymes, which flow into the digestive canal via a network of ducts.
  • Pancreatic islets/islets of Langerhans: tiny clusters of endocrine cells scattered among pancreatic acini.
    • Contain four types of hormone-secreting cells:
      • Alpha/A cells: constitute 17% of islet cells, secrete glucagon
      • Beta/B cells: constitute 70% of islet cells, secrete insulin
      • Delta/D cells: constitute 7% of islet cells, secrete somatostatin
      • F cells: secrete pancreatic polypeptide.

Pineal Gland

  • Small endocrine gland attached to the roof of the third ventricle of the brain.
  • Part of the epithalamus, positioned between the superior colliculi.
  • Mass of 0.1-0.2 g, covered by a capsule formed by the pia mater.
  • Contains masses of neuroglia and secretory cells called pinealocytes.
  • Secretes melatonin: an amine hormone derived from serotonin.
    • Contributes to setting the body's biological clock (controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus).
    • Increased melatonin release during darkness promotes sleepiness.

Thymus

  • Located behind the sternum, between the lungs
  • Produces thymosin, thymic humoral factor (THF), thymic factor (TF), and thymopoietin.
  • These hormones promote maturation of T cells (a type of white blood cell that destroys microbes and foreign substances).
  • May slow down the aging process.

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Explore the intricacies of the endocrine system, focusing on the roles of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Understand how these glands regulate growth, metabolism, and homeostasis, along with their anatomical structures and functions. This quiz will test your knowledge on the key aspects of this vital biological system.

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