HBS 2.3.2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

The endocrine system helps the body communicate through the use of chemical signals called _________.

hormones

Hormones help maintain homeostasis through __________ _.

feedback loops

A hormone ___________ can lead to disease or dysfunction.

imbalance

What is a hormone secreted by?

an endocrine gland Signup and view all the answers

There are and _ hormones.

short term, long term Signup and view all the answers

Is your body's response to sugar intake an example of positive or negative feedback? Explain your reasoning.

Negative feedback because if your body keeps reinforcing sugar then that is not getting back to homeostasis, whereas negative feedback opposes it and helps to get your blood sugar level back to normal. Signup and view all the answers

Describe two problems in the loop you have created that can produce an imbalance of sugar in the blood and lead to diabetes.

Insulin production is not working and can lead to too much glucose in the blood causing an imbalance. Your body can produce too much insulin which can cause an imbalance of sugar making it too low. Signup and view all the answers

How are neurotransmitters and hormones similar and how are they different?

Neurotransmitters and hormones are similar because they are both picked up by receptors and they are both chemicals. A difference is that neurotransmitters are still using an electric charge to be sent and hormones are triggered chemically. Another difference is that they interpret target cells in a different way. Signup and view all the answers

A target cell has to have a ________ to pick up hormones.

receptor Signup and view all the answers

Describe two ways in which communication in the endocrine system and in the nervous system are different and one way in which they are similar.

Communication in the endocrine system is using chemicals to transfer signals whereas in the nervous system they use electrical signals called action potentials. Another difference is that in the nervous system the signals pass through neurons and in the endocrine system hormones pass through the bloodstream. A similarity is that both systems work together to maintain homeostasis. Signup and view all the answers

How do you think the endocrine system and the nervous system work together to control communication in the body?

I think that the nervous system and the endocrine system work together by the nervous system sending a signal to a gland to release hormones maintaining homeostasis in the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between an endocrine gland and an exocrine gland? Provide an example of each type of gland and discuss what this gland secretes.

The main difference between an endocrine gland and an exocrine gland is that the endocrine gland releases hormones into the bloodstream whereas the exocrine gland releases it onto the epithelium (skin). An example of an endocrine gland is the pituitary gland which secretes hormones and an example of the exocrine gland is a sweat gland which secretes sweat. Signup and view all the answers

Endocrine glands release where?

bloodstream (pituitary gland and growth hormone) Signup and view all the answers

Exocrine glands release where?

sebaceous glands (sebum) Signup and view all the answers

Too much insulin causes....

diabetes Signup and view all the answers

Too much growth hormone causes.......

acromegaly - excess growth Signup and view all the answers

Too much T3/T4 causes....

hyperthyroidism - high metabolism Signup and view all the answers

Too little T3/T4 causes...

hypothyroidism - low metabolism Signup and view all the answers

What are some factors that affect endocrine organs?

aging, certain diseases, conditions, stress, environment, and genetics Signup and view all the answers

When there is too little of a hormone, the body does what?

increases production of hormones Signup and view all the answers

When there are too many hormones, the body does what?

decreases production of hormones Signup and view all the answers

___________ glands are a type of merocrine glands and secrete saliva.

Salivary Signup and view all the answers

____________ glands secrete oil on the skin.

Sebaceous Signup and view all the answers

Exocrine glands have _______.

ducts Signup and view all the answers

Give some examples of endocrine glands.

pancreas, thymus, thyroid, pituitary gland, pineal gland, adrenal gland, ovaries, and testes. Signup and view all the answers

Most endocrine glands are controlled by ______ and .

feedback loops and hormones Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Endocrine System Overview

The endocrine system communicates through hormones, which are chemical signals.
Hormones maintain homeostasis via feedback loops, primarily through negative feedback mechanisms.

Hormone Imbalance

An imbalance in hormone levels can lead to diseases or dysfunctions.
Two major types of hormones are categorized as short-term and long-term hormones.

Blood Sugar Regulation

High sugar intake elicits a negative feedback response, aiming to restore normal blood glucose levels.
Problems leading to blood sugar imbalances and diabetes include improper insulin production and excessive insulin secretion.

Neurotransmitters vs. Hormones

Both neurotransmitters and hormones utilize receptors for signal transmission but differ in their modes of communication—neurotransmitters use electrical charges and hormones rely on chemical triggers.

Communication Systems

The endocrine system communicates through hormones in the bloodstream, while the nervous system relies on electrical signals. Both systems collaborate to maintain homeostasis.

Gland Types

Endocrine glands (e.g., pituitary gland) release hormones directly into the bloodstream; exocrine glands (e.g., sweat glands) secrete substances onto epithelial surfaces.
Exocrine glands utilize ducts for secretion.

Hormonal Effects

Excess insulin can lead to diabetes; excess growth hormone results in acromegaly; excessive T3/T4 leads to hyperthyroidism, while a deficiency in T3/T4 causes hypothyroidism.

Factors Affecting Endocrine Function

Factors such as aging, diseases, stress, environment, and genetics can impact the performance of endocrine organs.

Feedback Mechanisms

The body increases hormone production when levels are too low and decreases it when levels are excessively high.

Gland Examples

Endocrine glands include pancreas, thymus, thyroid, pituitary gland, pineal gland, adrenal gland, ovaries, and testes.
Salivary glands and sebaceous glands are examples of exocrine glands. Salivary glands secrete saliva, while sebaceous glands produce oil for the skin.

Additional Note

Most endocrine glands are regulated by feedback and other control mechanisms.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the endocrine system with these flashcards. Learn about hormones, feedback loops, and gland functions essential for maintaining homeostasis. Perfect for students studying human biology or advanced health sciences.