5.4 Flashcards
What is endocrine system used for
Communication around the body using blood circulatory system to transport its signals (hormones)
What does blood system transport and what does this mean for hormones
Transports materials all over body, so hormones released into blood also transported throughout body
What are the 2 types of hormone
Peptide hormones (derive from amino acid, adrenaline, insulin, glucagon), steroid hormones (oestrogen, testosterone)
How do peptide hormones act on cell membrane
Proteins not soluble in phospholipid bilayer and don’t enter cell, peptide hormones bind to cell surface membrane and release 2nd messenger inside cell
How do steroid hormones act on cell membrane
Pass through membrane and enter cell and nucleus to have direct effect on DNA
How are hormones released into blood in endocrine system
Released directly into blood from endocrine glands, these are ductless glands that have a group of cells that manufacture hormones and release them directly into blood capillaries that run through glands
How do hormones effect cells when transported throughout body
Have specific functions so usually only act on 1 tissue type even if transported round whole body
What are target cells
Cells receiving endocrine signal which are either grouped together in target tissue like epithelium of collecting ducts or more widely dispersed in many tissues (adrenaline receptors in CNS and PNS)
What must non steroid hormones target cells have
Specific receptors on plasma membrane with complementary shape to hormone, hormone binds to this receptor and initiates changes in cell
What does it mean if all cells in body pass complementary hormone receptors
Then all cells can respond to signals but each hormone is different so some hormones carried in blood without effecting cells without complementary receptors, only specific target cells respond to hormone
What is a first messenger and why
Non-steroid hormones as they’re signalling molecules outside cell that bind to cell surface membrane and initiate effect inside cell, usually they cause release of signalling molecule in cell (second messenger) which stimulates change in cell activity
How do many peptide hormones act on cell membrane as first messenger
Via G protein in membrane, G protein activated when hormone binds to receptor and G protein activates an effector (usually an enzyme that converts inactive molecule into active 2nd messenger)
In many cells what is the effector molecule and what do it convert
Effector molecule is adenyl cyclase and converts ATP in cAMP (cyclicAMP)
What is cAMP
A second messenger that may act directly on another protein like an ion channel or may initiate cascade of enzyme controlled reactions that alter cell activity
From head to bottom how are glands involved with hormones positioned
Pituitary gland, thyroid gland, thymus, adrenal gland, pancreas, ovaries, testes
What are adrenal glands
Endocrine glands found anterior to kidneys (1 each side of body), each divided by outer region (adrenal cortex) and inner region (adrenal medulla), both regions supplied with blood vessels and produce hormones secreted directly into blood
What is the adrenal cortex structure
Adrenal gland has outer capsule and 3 distinct zones in cortex, zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, zona reticularis
What is zona glomerulosa
Outermost layer of adrenal cortex that secretes mineralocorticoids like aldosterone
What is zona fasciculata
Middle layer of adrenal cortex that secrets glucocorticoids like cortisol
What is zona reticularis
Innermost layer, secretes precursor molecules that make sex hormones
What is adrenal medulla
Found at centre of adrenal gland and secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline
What does adrenal cortex use cholesterol to produce
Steroid based hormones that can enter cell directly by dissolving into cell surface membrane, steroid hormones enter nucleus and have direct effect on DNA to cause protein synthesis
What is the action of steroid hormones
1.steroid hormone passes through cell membrane of target cell 2.steroid hormone binds to specific receptors in cytoplasm 3.receptor steroid hormone complex enters nucleus of target cell and binds to another specific receptor on chromosomal material 4.binding stimulates production of mRNA molecules which code for production of proteins
What is the role of mineralocorticoids from zona glomerulosa in the body
Help control Na+ and K+ in blood and contribute to maintaining blood pressure, aldosterone acts on cells of distal tubules and collecting ducts in kidneys, it increases absorption of Na+ and decreases absorption of K+ and increases water retention to increase BP
How do glucocorticoids from zona fasciculata act on body
Control metabolism of carbs, fats and proteins in liver, cortisol released in response to stress or due to low blood glucose concentration, it stimulates production of glucose from stored compounds (especially glycogen, fats, proteins) in liver
Although cortisol released form zona fasciculata what happens if correct hormones aren’t present to release it
Zona reticularis releases precursor androgens into blood, these are taken up by ovaries or testes and converted to sex hormones which help development and regulate gamete production
What is adrenaline
A polar molecule derived from amino acid tyrosine and released from adrenal medulla, means it can’t enter cell so detected by receptors on plasma membrane of target cells
Are adrenaline effects widespread
Yes as many cells have complementary adrenaline receptors
What is role of adrenaline
Prepare body for activity
What are examples of how adrenaline prepares body for activity
Relax smooth muscle in bronchioles, increase stroke volume in heart, increase heart rate, vasoconstriction to raise BP, converts glycogen to glucose, dilates pupils, increasing mental awareness, inhibits gut action, body hair stands erect
What is the pancreas
Small organ below stomach with endocrine and exocrine function
What are 2 main secretions from pancreas
Pancreatic juices containing enzymes which are secreted into small intestines, hormones secreted from islets of langerhans into blood