Endocrinology Worksheet for Final Exam

This course focuses on the study of exercise physiology, specifically the second part dealing with endocrinology.

The branch of exercise physiology that explores the role of hormones in regulating bodily processes during physical activity.

A comprehensive assessment of the knowledge acquired throughout the KIN 486 course.

A structured tool to organize and prepare for the final exam's endocrinology section.

The possible outcomes or changes in bodily functions caused by a specific hormone.

Insulin is an anabolic hormone primarily responsible for lowering blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells, particularly in the liver and muscles. It also stimulates protein and fat synthesis, and inhibits gluconeogenesis.

Insulin activates the PI3K pathway, which leads to phosphorylation of AS160 protein, causing GLUT4 transporters to translocate to the cell membrane, facilitating glucose uptake. It also activates the mTOR pathway, promoting protein synthesis in muscles.

Glucagon is a peptide hormone released from the pancreas in response to low blood glucose levels. It acts primarily on the liver to promote glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen) and gluconeogenesis (production of glucose), thereby increasing blood glucose levels.

Glucagon activates the cAMP pathway in liver cells by binding to receptors, triggering a cascade of events that leads to the activation of glycogen phosphorylase. This enzyme breaks down glycogen into glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), which is then converted to free glucose and released into the bloodstream.

Epinephrine, released from the adrenal medulla, is a stress hormone that triggers the fight-or-flight response. It primarily acts by activating the cAMP pathway, leading to increased glycogen breakdown, heart rate, blood pressure, and lipolysis.

Testosterone, a steroid hormone produced by the testes and adrenal cortex, enters cells freely due to its fat-soluble nature. It binds to intracellular receptors, stimulating protein synthesis and muscle repair.

Growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin, is released from the anterior pituitary gland. It's stimulated by growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and occurs in bursts every 3-5 hours.

GH promotes overall growth and development by stimulating muscle growth, protein synthesis, amino acid transport, and the release of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) from the liver. It also increases lipolysis and FFA mobilization.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a protein hormone primarily produced by the liver in response to growth hormone stimulation. It promotes muscle growth, protein synthesis, and stimulates DNA transcription and ribosomal translation.

Cortisol, a steroid hormone released from the adrenal cortex in response to stress, primarily promotes catabolism by increasing the breakdown of protein and fat to provide energy substrates for gluconeogenesis. It also has anti-inflammatory effects.

Leptin, a peptide hormone mainly produced by adipose tissue, regulates energy expenditure and body weight by acting on the hypothalamus. Its levels increase during refeeding/overfeeding and decrease during fasting.

Steroid hormones, such as testosterone and cortisol, are fat-soluble and can easily cross cell membranes. They bind to intracellular receptors, forming a complex that then interacts with DNA to influence gene expression.

Peptide hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone, bind to receptors on the cell surface. This binding triggers a cascade of signaling events within the cell, often through second messengers like cAMP or PI3K pathways, ultimately leading to changes in cellular function.

Hormones act as chemical messengers, affecting various functions within cells. They bind to specific receptors, triggering signaling pathways that lead to changes in gene expression, protein synthesis, or enzyme activity.