5.4 Hormonal communication Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
A communication system using hormones as signalling molecules.
What is a hormone?
A molecule (protein or steroid) that is released by an endocrine gland directly to the blood. Thye act as messangers, carrying a signal from the endocrine gland to a specific target organ or cell.
What is a target cells for non-steroid hormones?
Cells that possess a specific receptor on the plasma membrane- recpeptors are complementary to the sah[e of the hormone molecule.
What are the 2 types of hormones?
- Protein and peptide hormones
- Steroid hormones
Are protein hormones soluble in the phospholipid membrane- how does this affect the hormone entering the cell?
Proteins are not soluble in the phospholipid membrane and do not enter the cell. Protein hormones have to bind the cell curface membrane and release a second messanger inside the cell.
Are steroid hormones soluble in the phospholipid membrane- how does this affect the hormone entering the cell?
Steroid hormones are soluble in the phospholipid bilayer, so can pass through the membrane and enter the cell and the nucleaus, to have a direct effect on the DNA in the nucleus.
Are steroid hormones soluble in the phospholipid membrane- how does this affect the hormone entering the cell?
Steroid hormones are soluble in the phospholipid bilayer, so can pass through the membrane and enter the cell and the nucleaus, to have a direct effect on the DNA in the nucleus.
Where are hormones released from endocrine glands?
Directly into the blood.
What is an endocrine gland?
Endocrine glands are ductless glands that consist of groups of celljs that manufacture and release the horone into the blood in capilaries running through the gland.
What are the 7 major endocrine organs in the human body?
- Pituitry gland
- Thyroid gland
- Thymus
- Adrenal gland
- Pancreas
- Ovaries (in females)
- Testes (in males)
What are the 2 types of in the mammailian body?
- Endocrine glands
- Exocrine glands
What is an exocrine gland?
A group of cells surrounding a small duct, which leave the site where secretion is required.
What are cells called that receive an endocrine signal?
Target cells
For non-steroid hormaones, what must the target cell have?
The target cell must have a specific receptor on their plasma membrane that is complementary in dhape to the signalling molecule (hormone).
Why is it significant that target cells for non-steriod hormones must have a specific repector?
It means a hormone can be carroed in the blood without affecting cells that do not pocess the correct specific shape.
How do non-steroid hormones stimulate a change of activity in the cell? (First and second messengers)
- Non-steriod hormones (first messengers) bind to the specific receptor on the cell surfece membrane and initiate an effect on the inside of the cell.
- They release a second messanger, which stimulates and change in activity in the cells.
Describe what is happening here?
- Hormone (first messenger) binds in compemem]ntary receptor.
- This activates the G-protein in the cell-surface membrane.
- The G-proetin ,molecule actovator an effector molecule (adenyl cyclase) which converts ATP to cyclic AMP (second mesenger).
- The second messenger can act directly of another protein or can initiate a cascade of enzyme-controlled reactions that alter the acttivity of the cell.
What is the adreanl cortex?
The outer layer of the adreanl gland.
What is the adreanl gland?
One of a pair of glands lying above the kidneys, which release adrenaline and a number of other hormones known as corticoids- such as aldosterone.
What is adrenaline?
A hormone released from the adrenal glands ,which stimulates the bodu to prepare for fight or flight.
What is the adrenal medulla?
The inner layer of the adreanal gland.
What is the adrenal medulla?
The inner layer of the adreanal gland.
What is each adreanal gland made up of?
Each gland is divided into the outer adreanal cortex and the. inner adreanal medulla. Both reigions are well suppied with blood vessels and produce hormones which are secteares directly into blood vessles.
What 3 layer is the adreanl cortex made up of? Start from the outermost layer.
- Zona glomerulosa
- Zona fascicuata
- Zona reticularis
What is the outermost layer of the adreanal cortex?
Zona glomerulosa
What is the middle layer of the adreanal cortex?
Zona fasciculata
What is the innermost layer of the adreanal cortex?
Zona reticularis
What does that zona glomerulosa secrete? What does this do?
The zona glomerulosa sectretes mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone.
These help to control the concentrations of sodium and potassium in the blood, and blood pressure. Alderosterone increases the absorbtion of sodium ions, decreses the absorbtion of potassium ions ans increases water retention.
What does the zona fasciculata secrete? What does this do?
The zona fasciculata secretes glucocorticoids such as cortidol.
These help control the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the liver. Cortisol is released in the responce to stress or as the result of low blood glucose concentration. It stimulates the production of glucose from stored compounds.
What does the zona reticularis secrete and what does it do?
The zona reticularis secretes precursor molcules that are uused to make sex hoemones.
What sort of hormone is released from the adrenal cortex?
Steroid hormones.
How do steroid hormones create an action in a cell?
- The steroid hormone passes through the cell membrane of the target cell.
- The steroid hormone bonds with a specific receptor (complementary shape) in the cytoplasm.
- The receptor-steriod hormone comple enters the nucleus of the tsrget cell and binds to the specific receptor of the chromosomal material.
- Binding stimulates the production of messenger RNA (mRNA) which codes for the production of proteins.
Describe the hormone adrenaline?
Adrenaline is a polar molecule derived from the amino acid tryosine.
Adrenaline is poalr- What does this mean for the hormone?
Adrenaline cannot enter through the plasma membrane like a steroid hormone can.
What effects does adrenaline have on the body?
Many cells and tissues have receptors for adrenaline, therefore, the effect is widespe]read through the body, for example:
* increasing stroke volume of the heart
* vasoconstriction, raising blood pressure
* dialating pupils
* increwaseing mental awareness
* inhibiting the action of the gut
* causing body hair to stand on end
What are beta cells?
Cells found in the islets of Langerhans that secrete the hormone insulin.
What is glucgon?
A hormone that cuases an incerase in the blood glucose concentration.
What is insulin?
The gormone released from the pancreas, that causes blood glucose levels to go down.
Where is the pancreas in your body?
Lies below the stomach.
Why is the pancreas unusual?
It has noth exocrine and endocrine functions.
What are the 2 main secretions of the pancreas?
- Pancreatic juices containing enzymes into the small intestine.
- Hormones which are secreated from the islets of Langerhans into the blood.
What is the exocrine function of the pancreas?
Release digestive enzymes.
What is the exocrine part oof the pancreas?
The exocrine cells are in small groups of cells surrounding tiny tubules. Each group of cells is called an acinus. The acini are grouped together into lobules spearaated by connective tissue. The cells on the acini secrete enzymes they synthesis onto the tubules at the centre of the group.
What do the tubules from the acini join the interlobular ducts to make up?
Pancreatic duct
Where does the pancreatic duct carry fluid to?
The first part of the small intestines.
What enzymes does the fluid from the pancreatic duct contain?
- Pancreatic amylase- a catbohydrsase which digests amylose to moltose.
- Trysinogen- an inactive protease which will be converted to the active form trypsin when it enters the duodenum.
- Lipase- digests lipids.
What substance does the fluid from the bpancreatic duct contain that isn’t an enzyme?
Hydrogencarbonate, which is alkaline. This helps to neutralise the contents of the digestive system that have just left the acidic enviroment of the stomach.