Endocrine System Review Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the endocrine system?

A collection of bones

A collection of muscles that contract

A collection of cells that secrete hormones (correct)

A collection of nerves that transmit signals

What are hormones?

Chemical messengers of the endocrine system released into the blood.

What are protein hormones?

A class of hormones that cannot pass through the cell membrane.

What are steroid hormones?

A class of hormones that can pass through the cell membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What are prostaglandins?

Local hormones that do not enter the bloodstream. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive feedback?

A process that amplifies a small change. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative feedback?

A response that opposes the original stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the one messenger model?

Mechanism of hormone action used by steroid hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What is the two messenger model?

Mechanism of hormone action used by protein hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What is hypersecretion?

Excessive hormone production by an endocrine gland. Signup and view all the answers

What is hyposecretion?

Deficient hormone production by an endocrine gland. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pituitary gland?

It is the master gland of the endocrine system. Signup and view all the answers

What does growth hormone do?

Stimulates growth of bones. Signup and view all the answers

What is luteinizing hormone?

A protein hormone that stimulates ovulation in females. Signup and view all the answers

What is prolactin?

A peptide hormone that promotes lactation. Signup and view all the answers

What is follicle stimulating hormone?

Stimulates development of reproductive cell follicles. Signup and view all the answers

What does adrenocorticotropic hormone do?

Stimulates production and secretion of steroid hormones by the adrenal cortex. Signup and view all the answers

What is oxytocin responsible for?

Induces contractions of the uterine muscles during labor. Signup and view all the answers

What role does antidiuretic hormone play?

Aids in water reabsorption by the kidney. Signup and view all the answers

What does the hypothalamus do?

Links the endocrine and nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What is acromegaly?

Hypersecretion of growth hormone in adults. Signup and view all the answers

What is the thyroid gland responsible for?

Regulating the rate of metabolism. Signup and view all the answers

What does calcitonin do?

Decreases blood calcium levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of parahormone?

Controls calcium and phosphate metabolism. Signup and view all the answers

What is tetany?

Condition affecting nerves causing muscle spasms due to low calcium. Signup and view all the answers

What is osteoporosis?

A condition where bones become weak and break easily. Signup and view all the answers

What is the adrenal gland?

Ductless glands located above the kidneys. Signup and view all the answers

What does the cortex of the adrenal gland do?

Produces corticosteroids. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the medulla in the adrenal gland?

Produces epinephrine and norepinephrine. Signup and view all the answers

What does cortisol do?

Aids the body during stress by regulating glucose levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is aldosterone?

A corticosteroid hormone that regulates mineral balance. Signup and view all the answers

What is Cushing syndrome?

Excessive production of cortisol. Signup and view all the answers

What is the pancreas?

Functions as both an endocrine and exocrine gland. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of insulin?

Regulates the metabolism of glucose. Signup and view all the answers

What does glucagon do?

Raises blood glucose levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is diabetes?

Condition where the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Signup and view all the answers

What is estrogen?

Female steroid sex hormones secreted by the ovary. Signup and view all the answers

What is progesterone?

Hormone produced by the ovaries that acts with estrogen. Signup and view all the answers

What does testosterone promote?

Maturation of the reproductive system and male secondary sex characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is the pineal gland?

Secretes the hormone melatonin. Signup and view all the answers

What does melatonin regulate?

Sleep patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What is the thymus gland's role?

Aids in the body's defense against infection. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Endocrine System Overview

The endocrine system consists of glands that secrete hormones to regulate growth, development, and homeostasis.

Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers released into the bloodstream that affect various bodily functions.
Protein hormones cannot pass through cell membranes and are less likely to be stored; they exert effects through membrane receptors.
Steroid hormones can pass through cell membranes and can be stored in the body, allowing them to directly influence cellular activities.
Prostaglandins are local hormones that exert effects in their immediate vicinity and do not enter the bloodstream.

Feedback Mechanisms

Positive feedback amplifies changes, reinforcing processes in the body.
Negative feedback opposes changes, helping to maintain homeostasis.

Hormone Action Models

One messenger model: Used by steroid hormones, delivering messages directly into cells.
Two messenger model: Employed by protein hormones, which bind to cell membrane receptors to activate intracellular processes.

Hormone Secretion Issues

Hypersecretion refers to excessive hormone production, while hyposecretion indicates insufficient hormone production.

Key Endocrine Glands and Hormones

The pituitary gland is the master gland of the endocrine system, regulating other endocrine glands.
Growth hormone stimulates bone growth; luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation and androgen production.
Prolactin promotes lactation; follicle stimulating hormone stimulates reproductive cell development.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone induces steroid hormone secretion from the adrenal cortex.
Oxytocin, produced by the hypothalamus, facilitates uterine contractions during labor.
Antidiuretic hormone aids in water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Thyroid and Parathyroid Functions

The thyroid gland in the neck produces thyroxine to regulate metabolism.
Calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels, working against parathyroid hormone, which manages calcium and phosphate metabolism.
Tetany results from low blood calcium due to parathyroid hormone deficiency, causing muscle spasms.
Osteoporosis can develop from excess parathyroid hormone leading to weakened bones.

Adrenal Gland Roles

The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys and consist of the cortex, which produces corticosteroids, and the medulla, which produces epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Cortisol manages glucose, carbohydrates, and fat levels during stress, while aldosterone regulates mineral balance and fluid volume.
Cushing syndrome arises from excessive cortisol production, leading to unusual fat distribution and muscle wasting.

Pancreatic Functions

The pancreas serves both endocrine (hormonal) and exocrine (digestive) functions.
Insulin, secreted by beta cells in the pancreas, regulates glucose metabolism; glucagon from alpha cells raises blood glucose levels.
Diabetes occurs when insulin production is insufficient or ineffective, characterized by symptoms like excessive thirst and frequent urination.

Sex Hormones

Estrogen and progesterone from the ovaries are crucial for female sexual characteristics and the menstrual cycle.
Testosterone, produced by the testes, promotes male reproductive maturity and secondary sexual characteristics.

Other Hormonal Glands

The pineal gland secretes melatonin, which regulates sleep patterns.
The thymus gland near the heart plays a role in immune defense by producing antibodies.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the endocrine system with these flashcards. Learn about key concepts such as hormones and their functions, and explore different types of hormones like protein hormones. Perfect for reviewing essential topics in biology and anatomy.