6.2 Physiology of the Endocrine System Part 2 Flashcards
What does growth hormone cause in bones?
growth of cartilaginous plates
causes osteoblasts to form new bone
What happens if too little GH is produced during childhood?
individual will become pituitary dwarf
What happens if too much GH is produced during childhood?
individual will become pituitary giant
What occurs if there is an overproduction of GH in adulthood?
acromegaly
What occurs in acromegaly?
overly large feet, hands, and face
When is prolactin produced?
pregnancy and childbirth/nursing
What is the function of prolactin?
causes the mammary glands to develop and produce milk
plays a role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism
Where are melanocytes found?
in the skin
What is the function of the melanocyte-stimulating hormone?
stimulates melanocytes to increase their synthesis of melanin
What is melanin and when is it released?
dark pigment that is released when exposed to the sun
What is the function of thyroid stimulating hormone?
stimulates the thyroid to produce T3 and T4
What is the function of adrenocorticotropic hormone?
stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol
What are the gonadotropic hormones?
FSH and LH
What gland produces TSH?
anterior pituitary gland
What does TSH do?
stimulates the thyroid to secrete thyroxin (T4) via negative feedback
What are the two major hormones produced by the thyroid?
T3 and T4
What important compound do T3 and T4 contain?
iodine
How much more concentrated is iodine in the thyroid as compared to blood levels?
25 times more concentrated
What happens to the thyroid when iodine is lacking in the diet?
it enlarges to become a goiter
Why does a goiter form?
when there are low levels of thyroxin in the blood the anterior pituitary continues to secrete TSH which causes the thyroid to increase in size
