Human Endocrine System Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following hormones is secreted by the parathyroid glands?

  • Epinephrine
  • Thymosin
  • Insulin
  • Parathyroid hormone (correct)

The thymus gland shrinks with age.

True (A)

Which hormone is secreted by the adrenal medulla?

  • Aldosterone
  • Insulin
  • Cortisol
  • Epinephrine (correct)

What is the primary function of aldosterone?

<p>Aldosterone regulates the reabsorption of nutrients from the kidneys.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is responsible for breaking down fat stores and releasing sugar back into the blood?

<p>Glucagon (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Insulin is secreted by the pancreas and helps store sugar as fat.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main hormones secreted by the ovaries?

<p>Estrogen and progesterone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a class of hormones?

<p>Carbohydrates (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Most hormones are peptides, meaning they are short chains of amino acids.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hormones is NOT derived from tyrosine?

<p>Insulin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are eicosanoids produced from?

<p>Eicosanoids are produced from a 20-carbon fatty acid called arachidonic acid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of steroid hormones?

<p>Bind to surface receptors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ______ mechanism of action is commonly used by peptide hormones due to their inability to cross the cell membrane.

<p>second messenger</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the four small glands embedded in the thyroid gland?

<p>Parathyroid glands</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormone does the parathyroid gland secrete?

<p>Parathyroid hormone</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the thymus gland located?

<p>Below the thyroid, between the right and left lung</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormone does the thymus gland secrete?

<p>Thymosin</p> Signup and view all the answers

The thymus gland grows larger with age.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are the adrenal glands located?

<p>On top of the kidneys</p> Signup and view all the answers

What two hormones does the adrenal medulla secrete?

<p>Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormone does the adrenal cortex secrete that regulates reabsorption of nutrients from the kidney?

<p>Aldosterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormone does the adrenal cortex secrete that controls the rate of metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins?

<p>Cortisol</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the pancreas located?

<p>Behind the right side of the stomach</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormone does the pancreas secrete that tells the liver and muscles to remove sugar from the blood and store it as fat?

<p>Insulin</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormone does the pancreas secrete that tells the liver to break down fat stores and release sugar back into the blood?

<p>Glucagon</p> Signup and view all the answers

What two hormones do the ovaries secrete?

<p>Estrogen and progesterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormone does the endometrium in the uterus secrete when a fertilized egg binds to it?

<p>A female hormone</p> Signup and view all the answers

Amine hormones are derived from tyrosine.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a type of eicosanoid hormone?

<p>Prostaglandins (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Steroid hormones are hydrophilic.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of receptors do steroid hormones bind to?

<p>Cytoplasmic or nuclear receptors</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of steroid hormones?

<p>Change protein synthesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a steroid hormone.

<p>Estradiol</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Parathyroid glands

These four small glands are embedded within the thyroid gland and regulate calcium levels in the blood and bone absorption.

Thymus gland

Located below the thyroid, between the lungs, the thymus secretes thymosin, stimulating T-cell production in children.

Parathyroid hormone

Secreted by the parathyroid glands, this hormone controls calcium levels in the blood and bones.

Thymosin

This hormone produced by the thymus gland is responsible for T-cell development, crucial for the immune system.

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Adrenal glands

The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys and are split into two parts: the medulla and the cortex.

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Adrenal medulla

The inner layer of the adrenal gland, the medulla, secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline during times of stress, triggering the 'fight or flight' response.

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Adrenal cortex

The outer layer of the adrenal glands, the cortex, secretes aldosterone, regulating nutrient reabsorption from the kidneys.

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Cortisol

This hormone, secreted by the adrenal cortex, controls the body's metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

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Pancreas

Located behind the stomach, the pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon, regulating blood sugar levels.

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Insulin

This hormone, released by the pancreas, lowers blood sugar by telling the liver and muscles to store it as fat.

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Glucagon

This hormone, secreted by the pancreas, raises blood sugar by telling the liver to break down fat and release sugar.

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Ovaries

These female reproductive organs secrete estrogen and progesterone, regulating the menstrual cycle.

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Estrogen

A hormone secreted by the ovaries, regulating the menstrual cycle and female secondary sexual characteristics.

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Progesterone

Another hormone secreted by the ovaries, with a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

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Endometrium

The lining of the uterus, the endometrium secretes hormones that stop menstruation when a fertilized egg attaches.

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Peptides

Short chains of amino acids that make up a large proportion of hormones.

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Amines

Hormones derived from tyrosine, commonly secreted by the thyroid and adrenal cortex.

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Steroids

Lipids derived from cholesterol, typically secreted by the gonads, adrenal cortex, and placenta.

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Eicosanoids

Produced from the fatty acid arachadonic acid, these hormones are found in all cells except red blood cells.

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Hydrophilic hormones

Hydrophilic hormones, like peptides, are large and can't cross membranes.

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Hydrophobic hormones

Hydrophobic hormones, like steroids, are small and can easily cross membranes.

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Second messenger mechanism

A mechanism where hormones bind to surface receptors and trigger a chain of events inside the cell.

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Steroid hormones

Hormones that change protein synthesis, influencing all aspects of cell function.

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Insulin

A crucial hormone that regulates blood sugar levels by promoting glucose uptake and storage.

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Glucagon

This hormone is responsible for raising blood sugar levels by promoting glucose release from stored fat.

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Sex hormones

Hormones like estrogen and progesterone play vital roles in the female reproductive system.

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Endometrium

The lining of the uterus, the endometrium, plays a crucial role in supporting a developing embryo.

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Epinephrine (adrenaline)

A hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla that triggers the 'fight-or-flight' response during stress.

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Norepinephrine

A hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla that works alongside epinephrine to regulate the 'fight-or-flight' response during stress.

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Aldosterone

A hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates electrolyte balance, particularly sodium and potassium.

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Study Notes

Parathyroid Gland

  • Embedded in the thyroid gland
  • Secretes parathyroid hormone, regulating blood calcium levels and bone absorption.
  • Four small glands

Thymus Gland

  • Located below the thyroid, between the right and left lung
  • Secretes thymosin, stimulating T-cell (a type of white blood cell) production in children
  • Shrinks with age as antibody stores develop.
  • Exposure to more germs builds antibody stores.

Adrenal Glands

  • Two glands located on top of the kidneys
  • Medulla secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine, regulating the "fight or flight" response during stress
  • Cortex secretes aldosterone, regulating nutrient reabsorption from the kidneys
  • Cortex also secretes cortisol, controlling carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.

Pancreas

  • Located behind the right side of the stomach
  • Secretes insulin, instructing the liver and muscles to remove sugar from the blood and store it as fat
  • Also secretes glucagon, instructing the liver to break down fat stores and release sugar into the blood.

Ovaries

  • Secrete estrogen and progesterone, regulating the female menstrual cycle
  • The endometrium in the uterus also secretes a female hormone when a fertilized egg binds, stopping the cycle from progressing to menstruation.

Classes of Hormones

  • Peptides: Short chains of amino acids (most hormones); produced by: pituitary, parathyroid, heart, stomach, liver, kidneys; hydrophilic, large, bind surface receptors.
  • Amines: Derived from tyrosine; secreted by thyroid and adrenal cortex; hydrophilic; synthesized from a single amino acid (e.g., melatonin from tryptophan, thyroid hormone from tyrosine, catecholamines (EPI, DA) from tyrosine).
  • Steroids: Lipids derived from cholesterol; secreted by gonads, adrenal cortex, and placenta; hydrophobic/lipophilic, small, travel in the blood with carriers, bind to cytoplasmic or nuclear receptors (e.g., estradiol).
  • Eicosanoids: Produced from 20-carbon fatty acid (arachidonic acid); produced in all cells except red blood cells; includes prostaglandins and leukotrienes; involved in inflammation.
    • Peptide/Protein Hormones
      • Hydrophilic
      • Large
      • Cannot fit through cell membranes
      • Use second messenger mechanisms
      • Most common hormone type
      • Translated, packaged, and sent.
      • Bind surface receptors at target cells, mediating signal transduction/second messenger systems.
      • Example: Insulin
    • Amine Hormones
      • Synthesized from a single amino acid.
    • Eicosanoid Hormones
      • Produced from 20-carbon fatty acid (arachidonic acid)
      • Produced in all cells except red blood cells
      • Use second messenger pathways
      • Examples: Prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
      • Involved in inflammation
    • Steroid Hormones
      • Small
      • Hydrophobic/Lipophilic
      • Travel in blood with carriers
      • Bind to cytoplasmic or nuclear receptors
      • Change protein synthesis
      • Example: Estradiol

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