7.6 Hormone Evolution Flashcards
What is chemical signalling and why is it important?
an ancient method of communication and maintaining homeostasis, crucial for coordinating physiological processes across species.
How did the discovery of insulin contribute to the field of endocrinology (where was insulin extracted from and what was done with it)?
Insulin was first extracted from animal pancreases and later produced using genetic engineering, leading to a plentiful supply of human insulin.
How have scientists discovered the evolutionary conservation of hormone functions (where are Hormone structures and functions conserved from, and what is an example involving the thyroid hormone and insulin)?
Hormone structures and functions are often conserved from primitive vertebrates to mammals. For example, thyroid hormones and insulin are also involved in invertebrates like echinoderms and insects.
Give an example of a hormone that has become less significant in humans compared to lower vertebrates.
Calcitonin is less significant in humans but still codes for a peptide (CGRP) with a role in the brain as a neurotransmitter.
What does it mean if an endocrine structure is described as vestigial in humans?
It means the structure is present but minimally functional or has lost its original function
How has comparative endocrinology contributed to our understanding of human physiology (how does research in nonhuman organisms affect human physiology)?
Research in nonhuman organisms, such as fish and frogs, has helped develop models for human physiology, including studies on aging and reproductive physiology.
What was discovered about melatonin through research in nonhuman vertebrates (what was melatonin first studied using)?
Melatonin, a hormone from the pineal gland, was first studied using tadpoles, highlighting the value of nonhuman research.
What is Graves’ disease and how does it affect thyroid hormone production?
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder where antibodies mimic TSH, leading to the overproduction of thyroid hormones due to a false signal.
What is a key argument for the use of animal research in science?
animal research is necessary to test new drugs and procedures before clinical trials in humans, following ethical guidelines to minimize animal harm.
Why might negative feedback not effectively regulate thyroid hormone production in Graves’ disease (what do antibodies do with thyroid hormone, and what does this cause)?
The antibodies continuously stimulate the thyroid gland, overriding the negative feedback mechanisms that would normally reduce hormone production.
