AN120: Endocrine

Question 1

What are the 2 body systems that are responsible for controlling & integrating activities of the body?

Answer 1

Endocrine & Nervous System

Question 3

What is the nature of the endocrine system?

Answer 3

Ductless; it release hormones (chemical messengers) directly into the bloodsttream, where they are carried throughout the body.

Question 4

What is the endocrine system made of?

Answer 4

1. Brain: Hypothalamus, pituitary, & pineal glands
2. Neck: thyroid & parathyroid
3. Between the lungs: thymus
4. Part of the digestive system: pancreas (behind stomach)
5. Part of the genital system: ovaries & testes
6. Above kidneys: adrenals

Question 5

What is the hypothalamus?

Answer 5

• located below thalamus
• produces hormones
• hormones travels down stalk (infundibulum) to pituitary gland (not through blood)

Question 6

What controls the release of hormones from pituitary gland?

Answer 6

The hypothalamus

Question 7

What is the pituitary gland?

Answer 7

• aka master gland
• at base of brain, below hypothalamus
• divided into anterior & posterior

Question 8

What is the anterior lobe hormones?

Answer 8

1. TSH: thyroid-stimulating hormone
2. ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone
3. LH & FSH: gonadotropins
4. Prolactin
5. GH: growth hormone

Question 9

What hormones are released from the posterior lobe?

Answer 9

1. oxytocin
2. ADH: antidiuretic hormone

Question 10

What is the pineal gland?

Answer 10

• tiny & pine-cone shaped
• near the thalamus
• grayish-red
• 8mm in length
• produces melatonin hormone

Question 11

What does the pineal gland do?

Answer 11

Helps regulate sleep-wake cycles by increasing in the evening and decreasing melatonin in the morning in response to darkness & light exposure.

Question 12

What is thyroid gland?

Answer 12

• butterfly-shaped gland
• in lower front part of neck in front of trachea
• 2 lobes connected by isthmus

Question 13

What are the 2 hormones secreted by thyroid?

Answer 13

1. T3: active (triiodothyronine)
2. T4: inactive & converted to T3 (thyroxine)
   they play crucial role in regulating many body functions

Question 14

What is the parathyroid gland?

with hormone function

Answer 14

• 4 tiny, oval-shaped glands about the size of a pea
• behind thyroid gland & embedded in CT capsule
• produce PTH (parathyroid hormone) for maintaining calcium levels in blood

Question 15

Which gland regulates sleep cycle?

Answer 15

Pineal gland

Question 16

What is the thymus?

Answer 16

• soft
• pinkish-gray lobulated gland
• located in upper part of chest behind sternum
• larger & more active in children, shrinking with age
• produces T-lymphocytes (key for immune system)